THE LIBRARIES

Bequest of

Frederic Bancroft

1860-1945

SoGocJ.ISHMIM'C-iS

KECOLLECTIONS OF USEFUL PERSONS

-AND-

IMPORTANT EVENTS,

WITHIN SEVENTY YEARS,

WITH APPENDICES,

By S. C. JEI^JflNGS, D.D.,

OF THE-

PRESBYTERY OF PITTSBURGH.

"The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Ps., cxii. 6.
"We shall not hide them from their children." Ps., lxxyiii. 4.

FOR SALE BY

W. W. Waters, Presbyteeian Book Store, Pittsburgh.

J. DILLOX 60 -JiO^^ ,STii:AM :PD^:ER '^ElMTERS.

D ( ^'^n

C^

TO THE READER.

The following pages, containing recollections of useful
persons and important events, are prepared at the request
of several valued brethren. As the writer has been per-
mitted to live longer than most of his generation, and to
have an extended acquaintance, it has been thought that
he could make a necessary record of persons and things
which might not otherwise be transmitted to coming gen-
erations.

So far as they are here given, they are such as have a
religious tendency. Here secular events are passed to no-
tice what is useful, as the teachings of good men who have
finished their course on earth.

As it was impossible to give them exactly as they oc-
curred, chronological order has not been followed. Not
all persons have been noticed who have been equally ex-
emplary. The Synod of Pittsburgh appointed the present
writer to take the place of the author of " Old Redstone,"
and receive facts from the surviving friends of deceased
elders, to be put into brief memorials. Notice was given in
the Banner, and so far as they have been given they will
be found in my notices in the " Centenary Memorial," or
in these " Recollections." I hope there will be others* to
incur the expense of publishing what should be of good
men and women, who could not in this volume be men-
tioned. I did not know them sufficiently to write a brief
remembrance. In no case is a full history intended. I

TO THE READER.

trust, however, that those given will be gratifying and
useful to those who have heard of or seen the persons men-
tioned ; and that being dead they may yet speak through
the following pages, to the glory of God.

Worthy brethren have suggested that I should incorpo-
rate something of my own life. To this I felt reluctant ;
but I have made an Appendix ; for therein I can most
conveniently speak of what others did, in connection with
what the Providence and Spirit of God has done for me,
and by my instrumentality.

The names of numerous persons are stated ; but the
Index at the end will point to the pages where they are
specially mentioned, along with some characteristics or
facts. The author submits the Recollections, under in-
firmities, to the perusal of a Christian people.

XoTE.— The likeness is not of his devising.

co]srTE]srTS.

CHAPTER I.

TheWarof 1812— Men and Women's Toil— Trials
in Worship — Driving Slaves — The Aged, Dis-
eased and Dying 5

CHAPTER II.
The Synod of Pittsburgh Sixty-five Years Ago —

None Remain 10

CHAPTER III.
The Synod of 1829— The Special Business—" Your

Fathers, Where are They ?" 14

CHAPTER IV.

The Synod of Ohio in 1830— The History of the
Synod^Opening of the Synod at Zanesville —
The Remnant 18

CHAPTER V.

Ministers and Their Work — Preaching to Promote
Revivals — The Subjects of Preaching — Dr. ]\Ic-
Millan on Inability 23

CHAPTER VI.

The Work of the Lord in the Eary Part of the Cen-
tury— The Hindrances — The Means Used — Pri-
vate Prayer — The Ministers' Labors — Persons
Received as Members— Declension 29

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.

The State of the Church from 1821 to 1828— From

1828 to 1832— Female Influence at this Period... 36

CHAPTER VIII.

Missionary Reminiscences — Efforts Among the In-
dians— In Africa — In India — In China — In
Japan 41

CHAPTER IX.
Religious Papers Up to 1833 50

CHAPTER X.

Recollections of Books and Tracts — The Synod Re-
solves to Secure Tracts — In What Way They
Were Used — Those Adapted to Cure Infidelity —
By the Presbyterian Board — By the American
Tract Society — Books by Able Writers 55

CHAPTER XI.

Mode of Worship — Not Itching Ears — Not Irrever-
ence for God and His Worship — Insubordination. 60

CHAPTER XIL

History of Temperance Legislation — In England —
In the Time of William Penn — Licensing and
Drinking in the Eighteenth Century — In the
Nineteenth — How the Act of 1846 was Approved
and Repealed — How the Local Option Law was
Carried and Repealed — Great Mistakes 63

CHAPTER XIII.

Short Reminiscences of Ministers and Elders at or

near Washington, Pa. [See Index.] 71

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIV.

Recollections of Deceased Ministers : Francis Her-
ron, D.D., Elisha P. Swift, D.D., Aaron Williams,
D.D., Henry G. Comingo, D. D., Rev. Robert
Duulap, W. D. Howard, D.D., M. W. Jacobus,
D.D., Rev. Isaac M. Cook, Rev. Robert Carothers,
Rev. Jonathan Cross 78

CHAPTER XV.

Recollections of Deceased Ministers, Continued :
AYilliam Smith, D.D., Rev. S. M. Henderson,
David McKinney, D.D., James Alexander, D.D.,
John W. Scott, D.D., Lewis W. Green, D.D.,
John Stockton, D.D., Rev. J. K. Cunningham,
George Marshall, D.D., Rev. Adam Torrance,
Rev. Thomas Stevenson 84

CHAPTER XVI.

Ministers Who Died at Philadelphia : Dr. Ashbel
Green, Dr. James P. Wilson, Dr. C. C. Cuyler,
Dr. E. S. Ely, Rev. W. L. McCalla, Dr. T. H.
Skinner, Dr. W. Neill, Rev. James Patterson,
Rev. W. Ramsey, J. M. Dickey, D.D. — Ashmun
Institute, Lincoln University 95

CHAPTER XVII.

Former Professors at Princeton : Dr. A. Alexander,
Dr. Miller, Prof. Hodge, J. W. Xevin, Dr. R.
Baird, Dr. Carnahan — Tombs at Princeton 99

CHAPTER XVIII.

Transient Reminiscences: Moses Hampton. The
Halsey Family, L. Halsey, Dr. L. Halsey, Dr. J.
F. Halsey, R. Beer, F. G. Bailey, AV. Dickson,
John Potter, J. Wilson 102

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

Useful Persons and Important Events in Other
Branches of the Church — Associate, Associate Ke-
formed, United Presbyterian, Reformed Presby-
terian— The Rise of Campbellism — Need of the
Baptism of the Spirit 108

APPENDICES.

Containing a notice of the author's parentage, edu-
cation, &c., with a statement of instructive inci-
dents in the lives of some departed Christians.

Dr. "Wm. McMillan-Dr. John McMillan's Public
Services— The Writer a Teacher at Cleveland — ,
The State of Things There in 1823— Rev. S. I.
Bradstreet — The Writer at Princeton— Returns
to the West— Rev. J. C. Crane— Visit to Berk-
shire County — Cruelty Causes a Colored Man to
Know Jesus — Peter J. Gulick— Licensed Febru-
ary, 1827™ Work in Ohio— Revival at Washing-
ton— Students Converted — Pious Women — Be-
comes Editor of the Christian Herald — Becomes
Pastor— Many Preaching Places— Churches Or-
ganized—Dismission of Pastorate of Fifty Years
—Addresses by Rev. Drs. Wilson, Lea, Passa-
vant, and Judge Kirkpatrick-— Other Facts —
Organization of Riverdale Church— The Au-
thor's Visit to Princeton, and to the Graves of
ancestry— Conclusion, to Friends 117

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS,

CHAPTER I.

The War of 1812— Men and Women's Toil— Trials
IN Worship — Driving Slaves — The Aged, Dis-
eased, AND Dying.

HEN a little, grey-headed mau, that carried the
Genius of Liberty from house to house, in Fayette
county, handed it to my grandfather, he opened it
and sighed, for it announced the declaration of war. He
had been a captain and surgeon in the revolutionary strug-
gle, and now, as an aged minister, still bore marks of
wounds, and knew something of the approaching trouble.
The fears of some were awakened, and the courage of oth-
ers aroused to resist intrusion upon " free trade and sailors'
rights." Indians w^ere to be the allies of our foes, and the
dread of their cruelties on the frontiers, which were then
chiefly in Ohio and Michigan Territory, led some to shun
a defensive war against them. To take Canada was the
object of our aggressive heroes. Soldiers leaving home for
the conflict brought tears from many a mother and wife.
And it was to them a day of darkness; and delay ; for our
army went into winter quarters where Mansfield, Ohio, is
now. There were afterwards victories which caused illu-
minations of the dwellings, and yet for three years there
were seasons of discouragement, such as that of "Hull's
surrender." And I remember seeing parents mourning
1* 5

6 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

over the fragmentary memorials of their slain sons. But
the loss of friends in actual war was not the only grief of
Christians for there was an increase in drinking liquors,
and consequently an increase of all its dreadful results.

TOIL.

The culture of the earth was more of a trial than at a
later period. Besides the clearing of the surface, more of
the " sweat of the brow " was experienced in tilling it with-
out the help of such agricultural implements as have come
into use. The sound of the threshing flail was heard in
the barns the winter through, and remuneration for grain
was commonly inadequate. The good women, too, had
their toils in bringing the flax into a state ready for gar-
ments. Cotton was not much raised in the South, nor was
the separating gin invented. The instrument of music
which they used was the wheel adorned with flax, or the
" big wheel " with which they drew out the rolls of wool
into thread, traversing the floor, singing as they went.
They had not the trial of riding rapidly and making many
turns to keep up with modern fashion. They rather fol-
lowed the advice of Paul and Peter in regard to their ap-
parel. Nor did they have to follow so " many inventions"
in gratifying the palate and laying the foundation for dis-
ease. Nor were they so much tried with servants, for they
served themselves very generally. Except in cases of ex-
cess of toil, or of premonitory symptoms of disease, or
where there was an inheritance of it, they were " ready for
every good work."

TRIALS IN WORSHIP.

Opportunities for usefulness were not then so frequent as
now, nor the means so abundant, and the contributions to
objects of benevolence were not so large. The house of
God was frequented more regularly, and the difficulties of
travel in the country wonderfully surmounted. Some of

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 7

all ages, and both sexes, went through mud or snow, and
some true ladies rode on the same horse with husbands or
brothers. When assembled at the places of worship, the
feelings of the pious were not often wounded by witnessing
the levity of choristers nor by hearing the jovial remarks
of persons around the church or on the way home. During
times of revival especially. Christians " spake often one to
another," or counseled inquirers as to the way of salvation.
There was not much evidence that the place was visited for
show or entertainment, but to be profited, and to know the
God of all the earth.

SLAVES.

Christians were liable on the Lord's day to have their
sympathies moved in behalf of gangs of slaves driven on
the National road through Fayette and Washington coun-
ties. I have seen, at different times, the male slaves chained
two together from their wrists, and the females walking
behind, in a hurried manner, with a master before with
holsters and pistols, and one behind armed in the same
way. Though some were instructed to sing as they went
through towns, still, notwithstanding the pro-slavery senti-
ment then prevalent, the indignation of the people was
stirred at the persons driving them as cattle to a market.
This was one of the peculiar trials that unexpectedly oc-
curred any day, now to be experienced no more.

THE AGED, DISEASED, AND DYING.

Lamentably there appears to be an increase of persons
who believe that Christian parents were not sustained by
the gospel ; that exercising liberal thought, sometimes
called "advanced thought," often but another name for in-
fidelity, is just as advantageous as Christianity. Having
been permitted to reside in different parts of Eastern Ohio
and Western Pennsylvania during my long life, and to know
something of the end of some skeptics, and of many true

8 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

believers, by conversing with the latter, and by receiving
memorials of them when an editor, I am anxious to bear
some testimony for the benefit of the doubting.

The most that can be said about those who have died
unbelievers in the Bible, is that their happiness was nega-
tive— really indifference and unconcern about a future
state, just what might be expected of those " given up to
delusion" through the perverseness and enmity of the
heart. Some such may be justly left to be carried by the
chariot of time in darkness to eternity. A few were
aroused when it was " too late." How different were the
departures from earth of many aged persons, whose souls,
filled with light and love, spake in my presence the words
of triumph or resignation ! True there have been those
whose lives have been a constant proof of the truth of
God's word, who were so afflicted in the end that their
bodies intercepted the clear exercise of their minds. To
such lives we appeal for the testimony of the truth, and
not to all professors of religion, through whom the words
of the Saviors' prediction are still being fulfilled, that " of-
fences will come," who neither in life nor death bear gen-
uine testimony to the truth of religion. Let them be for-
gotten.

Leaving out of view other persons visited, the writer has
conversed, during the last fifty-five years, with about one
hundred in different stages of pulmonary affection. Some,
apparently through the deceptive nature of the disease, still
hoping for recovery, did not turn to the Saviour to obtain
mercy ; others were hopefully brought to true repentance
before death ; and some, who had been Christians before
becoming diseased, gave the highest and most reliable evi-
dence of going to be with Christ. With emaciated frames
and hectic flush upon the cheeks, and sparkling eyes, they
evinced, notwithstanding, by their expressions, the glorious

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 9

hope of immortality, and only wished that God might be
glorified by them in life, if it should be continued.

Within the bounds of my pastoral charge eight persons
died with cancerous affections ; three of them were internal
and could not be much alleviated by opiates. During the
dreadful tortures to which they were subjected, in the prov-
idence of God, they wonderfully exhibited the power of
divine grace to sustain. One of the others was unable to
swallow through the mouth, and subject to dreadful effu-
sions of blood, which were connected with . temporary con-
tortions of the countenance ; and yet, when they subsided,
with calmness, unable to speak, he could point heaven-
ward, indicating his expectation of rest there.

CHAPTER 11.

Synod of Pittsburgh Sixty-five Years Ago — None
Remain.

SOME reminiscences of the Synod of Pittsburgh as it
was in 181^, and some of its members. Then in my
sixteenth year, my personal knowledge was not as
great as in subsequent times.

The Synod met on the 5th of October, in the good old
town of Washington, Pa., in the old brick church. There,
something more than one-half of the whole members assem-
bled, some from a distance, in the rear of the church, with
overcoats, leggings and saddle-bags, until they would be
assigned places of entertainment. The sermon was from
Hebrews xiii. 17 : " Obey them that have the rule over
you," &c., by the last Moderator, Rev. Samuel Tait, a
godly man, fraternal and paternal. To me he* was the
latter, and told me that he was the classmate of my father.
Rev. John Seward, from Aurora, in the Portage Presby-
tery, was elected Moderator, a most excellent man of low
stature, but a rising light to the whole of the Western Re-
serve. When he preached for me at the meeting of the
Assembly of 1836, he was grieved at the prospect of a divi-
sion of the Church, and when his Synod was exscinded the
next year, still more did he and other good men who had
become Presbyterian ministers regret that the " Plan of
Union was disregarded. Rev. Thomas Hoge, who was
chosen Clerk ten years after, was now also chosen.

Rev. Wm. Wylie was made Chairman of the Committee
10

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I I

on Bills and Overtures. He was tall, grave and pathetic
in preaching. He was often full of fervor and tears in ad-
dressing the people at the Lord's Supper. He apparently-
had the unction so much needed. William Courtney, an
elder, then from the Presbytery of Redstone, was on the
same committee. For everything that makes a man good,
he excelled. He was much beloved, and brought forth
"fruit in old age." When we had extra services during a
time of revival on Long Island, he crossed the Ohio river
in the night, from time to time, to take charge of a prayer-
meeting. Rev. Thomas Barr, minister at Euclid, in the
Portage Presbytery, was on the same committee. He was
ruddy from hard work in his Master's service amongst the
destitute places on the Reserve, and afterwards at Wooster
and Apple Creek. He left a son after him to enter the
ministry, Thomas H. Barr, D.D., who died, after great
usefulness, November, 1877, in the bounds of the Wooster
Presbytery.

Another member from the Presbytery of Portage was
present, Rev. Joseph Treat, one also much beloved in the
region where he preached, characterized by mildness and
yet faithfulness. When I resided in Cleveland in 1823,
where there was no church building and no organization,
he came to preach and took for his text, " Every plant
which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be
rooted up." Describing as a spiritual botanist the plants,
he presented the Universalist plant as one not planted, at
which statement one of that people, who were numerous,
contradicted him before the assembly in the school room.
The old father very mildly asked, "Are you done, sir?" and
then proceeded with his discourse.

During the sessions of this Synod Dr. Herron preached
the missionary sermon from Ps. Ixvii. 2, " That thy way
may be known upon earth, thy saving health amoflg all

I 2 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

nations." This appointment to preach gave him opportu-
nity to press his favorite object, the increase of what he so
often called the gospel ministry. This object led him to
urge so ardently the location of a Theological Seminary,
and then to labor so perseveriugly for the welfare of our
great and good institution in Allegheny City.

At this meeting of Synod provision was made to divide
the Presbytery of Ohio into three parts, viz : besides it,
Washington and Steubenville. The other Presbyteries
were Redstone, Erie, Hartford, Grand River and Portage.
He who was now the youngest member of the Presbytery
of Ohio was made Moderator of the Synod in 1821 and
1826. He was Obadiah Jennings, who had been a lawyer
six years at Steubenville, and six years in the same profes-
sion at Washington, and now three years a pastor at Steu-
benville. As yet Dr. Swift, and Dr. Wm. Smith, and Dr.
Jeffery, and Dr. McKinney, and Dr. Beatty, and good Mr.
Coulter and others, had not become members.

Many others were members, whom I knew as Fathers.
Lyman Potter, who preached from house to house in old
age, and distributed Bibles and tracts ; Thomas Marquis,
the pastor of my childhood, bland and eloquent ; William
Speer, learned, dignified and sedate. Others were present:
Joseph Stockton, Timothy Alden, both literary as instruct-
ors, and Robert Patterson, courteous and pious ; Moses
Allen, the logician ; Michael Law, the good pastor and
catechiser ; Cephas Dod, who, with the spirit of Jesus, min-
istered to the diseases of the body and soul ; JohnMunson,
who with a sunburnt face and noble heart, like some others
could say, these '* hands have ministered to my necessities"
and those of my household. All these were there. Reid
Bracken and Abraham Boyd were there, plain, excellent,
godly ministers. Others, too, perhaps equally good, were
not present. I have only mentioned those of whom I had

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 3

some knowledge. They were pious meo, without levity.
Of the sixty-six ministers and elders that were present, and
of the forty ministers that were absent, I do not think that
one remains upon earth. How instructive to us who have
taken their places to work while it is day, for the "night
Cometh when no man can work." The departed Synod
met at sunrise for praise and prayer. Ours should be more
devotional.

CHAPTER III.

Synod of 1829 — The Special Business — Your Fath-
ers, Where are They?

F our youDg ministers and others will in spirit come
with me to the lecture-room of the First Presbyterian

church, in Pittsburgh, we will look in. There are the

members assembled on the 15th of October, 1829. They
look fatigued. They have not come in the cars. Some
few have arrived in stages or in steamboats. But the most
have traveled on horseback. Some from up the Allegheny ;
others from near Lake Erie; and others from eastern Ohio.
There are none from the Western Reserve. It has a Synod.
I will tell you something of those I knew best, without
giving titles. They have elected James Graham, Modera-
tor, a man of acute mind and skilled in debate. The Clerk
is Thomas Hoge, a good penman, who understands his
office. There sits near the Moderator, Dr. John McMillan,
robust, with rather a swarthy face, heavy eye-brows, his
hair not entirely white. He holds his hickoiy stalf, takes
but little part in the common business ; but when there is
a departure from the old rules, he speaks of it with a sigh.
His aid is sought in religious services, and he is treated as
a father. Then, on the other side, is Rev. Joseph Patter-
son, more stooped, his full eyes look upon you benevolently,
and his smile is that of a Christian man full of the Holy
Ghost. He says nothing as a member, but leans upon the
top of his staff. Not far off is Dr. Herron, large, portly
and commanding in his appearance, and full of business.

14

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 5

Robert Johnston is Chairman of the Judicial Committee.
He speaks " as one having authority," and without fear.
Thomas D. Baird is Chairman of the Committee on Bills
and Overtures. He is blunt in speech, and guards against
the introduction of innovations. He and Dr. Ralston are
from the same country, and have no partiality for New
England usages.

There is another, who is mostly in the rear of the room.
It is Dr. Swift. Serious, thoughtful, meditating means to
promote the " Western Missionary Society." He is ap-
pointed Chairman of the Committee to make inquiry into
the expediency of consolidating it with the " Board of Mis-
sions of the General Assembly." Elisha Macurdy is on the
Committee ; a fervent, grave man, measured in his speech,
who has made the matter of Missions a part of his life work.
Samuel Tate, of Mercer, is on the Committee also — a pio-
neer in the North, whom God has greatly blessed.

Dr. John Anderson is a pastor, of a bright intellect, use-
ful as an instructor in theology ; but he is now emaciated
and coughing. Rev. George M. Scott, of Mill Creek, is
here. Bland and paternal, he well deserves the name of
father, for he has been this to many in Christ. William
Woods is here in quietude. He has been eminently useful
as the pastor of Lebanon and Bethel churches ; but he is
near the close of life. Father Andrews is here, white-
headed and interested. He was long useful as my prede-
cessor in editing the paper of which the Presbyterian Ban-
ner is the continuation. I can not describe that tall min-
ister, emaciated from stomach disease. He was my old
pastor and grandfather's successor ; his name is William
Johnston. Nor can I tell you of aged ministers, as Thomas
Davis, Cyrus Riggs, Abraham Boyd, Thomas E. Hughes,
C Vallandighara, Francis Laird, Jr.mes Guthrie and Jo-
seph Anderson. Their course of usefulness is nearly run.

I 6 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

and they leave the business of Synod chiefly to younger
men. Some of the fathers in the Synod are absent from
this meeting, such as Dr. Power, by reason of age. Others
in consequence of their great distance ; as Rev. Johnston
Eaton, James Satterfield and Robert Sample. My friend
and classmate, Wells Bushnell, of Meadville, is here. He
is an abolitionist, but none the worse.

THE SPECIAL BUSINESS.

Robert Baird, a catechumen of my grandfather, has ad-
dressed the Synod in behalf of the American Sunday
School Union. He does not know now that he is to cross
the Atlantic eighteen times for the cause of God and
" stand before kings." Rev. William McMillan, a former
President of Jefferson College, and A. G. Fairchild, a
clear-headed, gentlemanly member, the gentle and stable
S. McFerran, are to report on this subject. Dr. Swift, on
the Western Missionary Society, is to present his report,
and it will create an interest and be of some length. Dr.
Swift and those excellent men, A. O. Patterson and James
Hervey, are appointed a committee to report on the sub-
ject of education. " Saturday forenoon is to be spent in
special prayer to Almighty God for the outpouring of
his Spirit. The afternoon is to be spent iu connection
Avith the churches of the city." Lr. Brown, the President
of Jefferson College, who is usually called to lead in meas-
ures pertaining to revivals, is appointed to draft an address
along with Dr. McMillan, which is to be read in the
churches on the second Thursday of February, a day of
fasting, humiliation and prayer, after it has been published
in the Christian Herald.

As substantial, excellent a company of elders as have
been found anywhere are members of this Synod. Person-
ally I know Robert Baird, James Caldwell, David Veech,
James Power, Robert Bailey, Wm. Grossman, Benjamin

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 7

William?, John Hannen, "Wm. D. Hawkins, Wm. Hartu-
pee, John Nesbit, Arthur Morrow, Jacob Slagle, John
Duncan and Benjamin Gardner. The ministers are usu-
ally tall, and many of them far advanced in life. Few
there are who are of such low stature as Father Andrews,
or the orator Boyd Mercer, or the deep theologian, John
Rhea, of Ohio.

"your fathefs, where are they?"

Not one of the elders named remains, and I think r,ot
one elder of the Synod of '29. Of the sixteen ministers of
the Presbytery of Bedstone who were present, none. Of the
seventeen members of the Presbytery of Ohio in attend-
ance, but one lives, myself The venerable Luther Halsey
was present at the Synod as a corresponding member, for
he was on the committee with Dr. Swift and. myself on
doctrinal tracts. Of the seven members of the Presbytery
of Erie who were present, none live ; and none I think of
any absent members, except Peter Hassinger, who is spend-
ing the evening of his day of hard work in Illinois. Of the
seven members present of the Presbytery of Hartford, one
remains, Wm. Nesbit, at New Bedford, after many years of
labor and affliction. Of the ten members of Allegheny, all
have gone, and we hope exchanged their seats in earthly
courts for the shining seats in the General Assembly on
high. So of Washington Presbytery.

Such are the changes in the Church below. Tender
recollections of the departed have led me to record this con-
densed memorial of men who were grave, pleasant and pious.

2*

CHAPTER IV.

The Synod of Ohio in 1830 — The History of the
Synod — Opening of the Synod at Zanesyille —
The Remnant.

/~|~\he old Synod of Ohio was organized in 1814, out of
the Presbytery of Lancaster, which before had been
a part of the Synod of Pittsburgh, and out of the
Presbyteries of Washington and Miami, which were parts
of the Synod of Kentucky. In 1830 it was composed of
the Presbyteries of Athens, Columbus, Lancaster and
Richland. These, with the Synod of Miami, formed in
1829, show how greatly the churches had increased in six-
teen years on territory once occupied by the old Synod.

OPENING of the SYNOD AT ZANESVILLE.

Rev. James Hoge, D.D., the last Moderator, opened the
Synod with a sermon on Matt, xxviii. 20 — " Lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world." In his mis-
sionary itinerancy through Ohio, in deep mud or on cordu-
roy roads, he had experienced the fulfillment of the prom-
ise. Shortly after his licensure in 1805, he was "appointed
to the State of Ohio and parts adjacent thereto," as his
commission stated, which he received from the General
Assembly. I found him in 1828, a settled pastor in Colum-
bus, enjoying the respect of the people and wielding a great
influence upon the Legislature. He was tall and straight
with black hair, grave and solemn. His voice 'was pecu-
liarly impressive, using great accuracy in his speech with-
out being eloquent. In ecclesiastical bodies he was very

18

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 9

influential and always moderate in his utterances, and did
not go to extremes during the time of the division in our
Church. I saw him in the Assembly which met in Colum-
bus in 1862. His energy was diminished, but his prayer
at the conclusion of all the sessions, was a wonderful out-
pouring of the heart before God. So he had been a " man
of God " at every Synod. Eev. James Scott was chosen
Moderator of this Synod. Formerly I had found him at
his home near Mt. Vernon, a plain Christian minister, who
had exemplified godliness in the sight of all men for many
years, and was now honored with presiding over his breth-
ren. His great aptness in quoting Scripture, with a feeling
heart, was the peculiarity of his preaching, and humility,
from frequent communicm with God in prayer, was the
the characteristic of his life. His lips were seen moving
while he literally carried out the direction, "praying with-
out ceasing." Kev. James B. Morrow, my fellow-student
at college and at Princeton Seminary, and a very gentle-
manly man — save in the use of tobacco — was one of the
clerks. He was pastor at Canton, and eventually died
from neuralgia, after years of usefulness, and after being
one year Stated Clerk of the Synod. Rev. John Wright
was made Chairman of the Committee on Bills and Over-
tures. Neither what brother Eaton wrote of him in the
" Centenary Volume" of the four Synods,nor what I added
in the appendixes of it, were sufficient notices of such a
minister. Nor can I, in these short reminiscences of those
I knew, do his memory anything like justice. This I write,
not because of his regard for my father, nor his hospitality
to me. One that performed such service in Virginia and
North Carolina, and especially as a pioneer in Ohio, exhib-
iting so much energy in his Master's service, with such a
Christian spirit, should be presented to the churches
through a volume. He left a son, now at rest, and grand-

20 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

sons to fill his place in the ministry. As chairman of the
committee he brought in " a proposition to consider the
necessity of a high degree of ardent, enlightened piety in
ministers and ruling elders, and to inquire by what means
the standard of piety in officers of the Church may become
more elevated." It was readily referred to a committee of
which Dr. Hoge was chairman. The ordinary business
was suspended at 3 I'clock P. M., on Saturday, and " the
rest of the day spent in religious exercises with the congre-
gation." Kev. James Culbertson was the efficient and be-
loved pastor of the church, and very influential in that
whole region. His bodily appearance was healthfal, his
voice sonorous as an organ, and his generosity and hu-
mility unusual. He could not be persuaded to accept the
title of D.D., which had been conferred upon him. He be-
came feeble after he had been a pastor about thirty years,
and his congregation called a colleague ; but he did not
long survive. A missionary sermon was preached on Sab-
bath evening by Rev. Jacob Little, of Granville, on "Cov-
etousness." It was rather a startling exhibition of Scrip-
tural truth on the subject in an original way. In spend-
ing a Sabbath with this excellent pastor, I found that he
had all the New England love for statistics, and everything
arranged in order. He had a work for everyone and every-
one at work. As an overseer of the flock, he had many
helpers, and much of his original thought and manner of
doing things were brought to light in his discourse. He
was a terror to evil doers, especially to the venders and
users of intoxicating drinks, and was often favored with re-
vivals of religion in his congregation, which he served
down to old age.

The overture, " Should currant wine, or any other than
that of the grape, be used in the Lord's Supper," was an-
swered in the negative. It was resolved that subscriptions

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 2 I

be taken up through the Synod to retain Mr. James Chute
as preacher in the penitentiary at Columbus. In the early
part of the session the following action had been taken :
" Mr. Jennings had leave to make communications to the
Synod respecting the Christian Herald, a religious paper
published in Pittsburgh." After which it was resolved to
recommend it to the churches under the care of Synod to
patronize the paper. Another overture, as to " the expe-
diency of renewing petitions to Congress on the subject of
opening and transporting the mails on the Sabbath," was
answered in the affirmative. There had been a great ef-
fort made by the Christian community to accomplish the
object mentioned in the overture. Kichard M. Johnson in
Congress had reported adversely to the request of the peti-
tioners in erroneous statements, which report had been
printed on silk and framed by the friends of the Sabbath
mails. The religious papers and some others advocated
the right. Hon. Thomas H. Baird wrote a long article
which filled a whole joage of the Herald, and I caused
numerous extra copies to be sent wherever the paper cir-
culated, and there is no doubt but his able production did
much to lead members of the Synod to determine to con-
tinue petitioning.

In those times of difficulty in traveling, a large number
of the members were not present. Of the Presbytery of
Athens, Dr. K. G. Wilson, President of the University, was
absent — a substantial and useful man in his day.

THE EEMXA^'T.

Of the whole number — nine — that made up Athens
Presbytery, only two live : Dr. Kingsbury, of Marietta,
and Dr. Spaulding, of New York. Of the whole twelve
ministers that composed the Presbytery of Columbus, only
one. Dr. Shedd, of Mt. Gilead, O., lives. Of the twelve
ministers composing the Presbytery of Lancaster, none re-

2 2 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

main. Of the thirteen ministers of the Presbytery of Rich-
land, none live. James Scott, James Cunningham and
Thomas Barr, formerly of Euclid, departed long since.
Archibald Hanna lived to a great age, with acute reason-
ing powers, and exercised them with good results. His
first effort, when a licentiate, was the production of a
pamphlet on occasional hearing that helped to remove
bigotry. He had three sons in the ministry.

James Snodgrass, Robert Lee. Wm. Matthews and John
McKinney, brother of our late Dr. McKinney, did a good
work in Ohio in different places. The courteous James
Rowland died not long since at Mansfield, after being long
afflicted, and peacefully passed away. Dr. Richard Brown
was a member of the Synod of Ohio in 1830, but departed
this life at Hagerstown, O., iVpril 12, 1879, aged eighty-
three. He was my senior helper in everything good at
college. He " walked with God." Though not gifted
with splendid abilities as a speaker, he was "filled with the
Spirit. There is no doubt but he accomplished more for
the Church of Christ than many endued with more natural
powers, but without his serious piety. What was once the
territory occupied by this Synod has had, and still has,
many excellent ministers, but none remain within its
bounds but the two mentioned that were members in 1830;
and the venerable John Pitkin, not then a member, but a
minister, an amiable man, waits still.

CHAPTER Y.

Ministers and Their Work — Preaching to Promote
Revivals — The Subjects of Preaching — Dr. Mc-
Millan ON Inability.

SOME youDger brethren have requested me to furnish
reminiscences of deceased*ministers, and of the way in
which they preached and received persons into the
Church. A few may be noticed who were in Western
Pennsylvania in 1810, and afterwards, and of whom I had
a personal knowledge, so far as to justify the attempt to
aid in being profited by their example.

I sat under the preaching of Dr. John McMillan for
three years, and was a member of his Bible class. I knew
something of the ministry of Dr. John Anderson, Dr. M.
Brown, Rev. Elisha Macurdy, Rev. Joseph Patterson, Rev.
Thomas Marquis, Rev. William Woods, Rev. Wm. Wylie,
Rev. Robert Johnston, Rev. George M. Scott, Rev. Moses
Allen, and others, amongst whom I might number my
grandfather, Dr. Jacob Jennings.

Those mentioned were not only different in their appear-
ance, but somewhat different in their manner of preaching
and in their intercourse with the people ; but in the main
things, essential to usefulness, they were much alike.
First, as to their preaching. They earnestly pressed the
invitations of the gospel upon those who felt their need of
a Saviour. They remembered that " by the law is the
knowledge of sin," and those not convinced of it would no
more appreciate him than the "whole" a physician. The

23

24 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

" law " in its spirituality and extent, with the penalties for
disobedience was fully and earnestly presented. The need
of the Holy Spirit to produce conviction through the truth,
and to carry on all parts of his gracious work, was also
much dwelt upon.

The discourses from the pulpit w^ere not so much about
mankind in general as addressed to the people present.
They did not so often say "they," but "you." Knowing
" the terror of the Lord," they " persuaded men." They
did not shrink to use the " whole counsel of God," in re-
gard to the danger of his wrath. The phrases of the Bible
about it were not smoothed over, so as to awaken no fears.
They knew that the uuregeuerated heart has its chief sus-
ceptibility in fear — that it has no love to be excited ; and
while they did not use cold blooded denunciation, they
were moved to speak in the spirit of our Lord, when he la-
mented over the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusa-
lem. Their eloquence was not so much in language as in
tears.

They did not so preach the love of God as to ignore his
holiness, nor his mercy so as to leave out of view his justice.
Perhaps some did preach too much as though the sinner
was to prepare to be forgiven, rather than his immediate
submission and belief to be saved. The entire dependence
on God's power to create a new heart was fully taught, and
the want of will upon the part of the sinner, the great rea-
son why he was not changed. His responsibility and guilt
and danger were thrown over upon himself, and he was
taught to see that it was only by the Divine Spirit he
could be made walling in " the day of God's power " to
yield immediately, and that he must be saved as a perishing
sinner.

Of the private devotion and study that prepared these
excellent fathers to be so successful, I cannot speak. But

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 25

it is certain that they did not rely on eloquence of language
in Avriting or speaking. What would make them popular
as speakers, they appeared not to have considered. They
were generally plain men, speaking in plain language to
plain people. They did not seek to make the word a source
of mere entertainment. They appeared to remember the
word of God as contained in Jeremiah xxiii. 29 : " Is not
my word like as a fire? saith the Lord ; and like a hammer
that breaketh the rock in pieces ?"

The preaching of these fathers was not unduly hortatory.
They usually made divisions and sub-divisions in their
sermons with a proper personal application. They were
far from the essay form, ornate and smooth, passing over
every person and every sin. On the contrary, each one
got his " portion in due season," none saying, " What a
splendid sermon !" God got the glory, and some retired
to pray for a blessing.

The reception of persons into the Church occurred after
they had given evidence of repentance, preceded usually
by pungent conviction of sin, whether that was experienced
during the period called " the falling work," in the early
part of this century, or later when there was no " bodily
exercise " manifested. The pastors usually visited and
conversed with the anxious. Daring the time of the
fathers, whose names have been mentioned, there were too
few " inquiry meetings." Christians, however, " inquired "
of God alone, for the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit;
and they were imparted, producing solemn conviction of
sin and danger. When evidence of regeneration was given,
the Session "added to the Church such as should be saved,"
after each one had been examined separately. There was
no urgency immediately to join the Church, and thus heal
" the wound slightly " by a hasty profession. No calling
up persons to ask them a few questions, as you would ex-

2.6 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

amiue a class, and then bring them all, by a kind of whole-
sale process, into the Church. The ministers had not the
power of " discerning spirits." There were some days of
continued prayer and preaching ; but not in order that, at
the close, as many as would consent should be received as
members, whether they were united to Christ or not. Our
forefathers valued real heartfelt religion vastly more than
a mere willingness to become a member of the Church, to
make a saviour out of it. They did not urge any to join
it, because some of their friends had done so ; and thus be
prepared to report a large number as added. They knew
it was too serious and solemn a matter for people to be de-
ceived, and ministers would not be accessory to it. Hence,
the majority of members added in former times, were per-
sons of living piety and consistent in practice ; though they
had not yet learned the duty of activity and benevolence
to the extent that some have in these later times.

PREACHING TO PROMOTE REVIVALS.

The time was " in season and out of season," by night
and day, to save " souls from death." The place was the
school house, the fireside, the shady grove, and the pulpit
in the old log church. It was high up, without opportu-
nity for peripatetic movements. The object was not in the
use of some popular theme to draw and please men." The
preaching was not about lukewarm Christians and unbe-
lieving sinners, but to them. The speakers did not so
much use the pronoun they, as you. It was usually plain,
pointed, and often inelegant and repetitious. As Dr. Net-
tleton in the East, in his marvelous instrumentality, re-
volved a few leading important ideas over and over, that
the hearers might carry them away in their minds ; so our
fathers in the West did, fixing, by the blessing of God, the
arrows of conviction in the conscience.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 2^

THE SUBJECTS OF PREACHING

were practical. Doctrines were so applied as to become so.
The moral law in all its teachings, was presented. A "law
work," as it was called, shorter or longer, was considered
necessary to bring back wandering saints and to convict
sinners. The " terrors of the Lord " were not with-held.
The administrators of this truth, were not always polished,
but wise to win souls, by adapting it to the different states
of the soul. With feeling hearts, they took away the ex-
cuses ; or, as one said, " took away props and laid on the
weights " of obligation to believe and obey. In calling
upon hearers to be reconciled to God, they took part with
him against the rebel ; and with such tenderness and faith-
fulness as characterized the late Drs. Weed of Wheeling,
Comingo, of Steubenville, and brother Cook, of Bridge-
water, and others, who persevered in the same strain of
subjects — not giving one kind one part of the day, and
something that diverted the mind the other part ; but re-
membered from time to time to carry out the intention — as
physicians would say in curing the body — with portions of
truth adapted to the great object in bringing the soul to
submit to Jesus, the great Physician.

The wise forefathers, in the beginning of this century,
adapted the subject to the special object, viz., to reconcile
"the world to God." This is illustrated by the preaching
of Eev. Mr. Macurdy, at Upper Bufialo, on the second
Sabbath of November, 1802. When he was called to ad-
dress part of the large crowd of people, who could not all
hear any one of the fifteen ministers in any one place, he
rose by request, and from a wagon spoke to the people his
sermon from the second Psalm, " Kiss the Son, lest he be
angry." The result by the Spirit was, that large numbers
were overpowered, feeling that they had been rebels against
God, and soon surrendered.

28 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Dr. John McMillan, the chief teacher of theology in
those times, taught by his preaching that the guilt and
condemnation of the sinner must rest upon himself In a
sermon furnished me for publication in the Presbyterian
Preacher, just before his death, on " the sinner's inability
inexcusable, yet divine influence necessary," we find the
following declaration fully unfolded, viz. : He says — " Let
it only be remembered that all the sinner's inability is of a
moral and not of a physical nature, and the absurdity of
such excuses must appear in a proper light. . . . All the
reason, therefore, why the sinner cannot love God and obey
him, behold Christ's glory and believe on him, is because
he has no heart for these things. This kind of preaching
might in some places, in our day, be unwelcome; but it
was that which prepared the way for a speedy acquiescence
in the gospel through " the power of God unto salvation."
Through the most competent ministers of this period, the
scriptural doctrines of God's sovereignty in election Avere
so preached as to avoid Antinomian error ; and on the
other hand man's free agency and ability, so as to avoid
the opposite Arminian error, that inquirers would find no
reason for delay in submitting to Christ, nor for presump-
tion that they could come to him without being drawn by
the Father. Thus the fathers were among the wisest and
most successful preachers that the Church has had, by
their various teachings. They were men of "effectual"
prayer.

CHAPTEK VI.

The Work of the Lord in the Early Part of this
Century — The Hindrances — The Means Used —
Private Prayer — The Minister's Labors — Per-
sons Received as Members — Declension.

/~T~\he religious history given in the "Centenary Memorial"
volume by that dear departed brother, Dr. Williams,
and also the small and interesting narrative on the re-
vivals in the West, by our beloved Dr. Speer, do not continue
the recollections much beyond the time of the great revival
of about five years, now nearly three-quarters of a century
past. Those wishiug to know what has been the state of
the Presbyterian Church " in Western Pennsylvania and
parts adjacent," during the time of their immediate ances-
try, would wish something farther. Such inquiries have
been made of me, especially by younger brethreu in the
ministry, that I am constrained to make the attempt to
give a brief sketch of what I " have heard and known
and our fathers have told " of the state of things during
a few years.

hindrances.
1. The prosperity of the Church was impeded by the
war of 1812 with Great Britain, as I have stated in the
"Centenary Memorial." 2. Afterv^-ards the minds of many
were affected by financial difficulties and the want of re-
muneration for their toils, so that they supposed they
could not do much for the cause of Christ. 3. Habits of
intoxication rather increased during and after the war,
3* 29

30 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

which closed in 1815. So that the Synod of Pittsburgh
bore its testimony against them more than once. 4. Oppor-
tunities for speedy travehng to religious assemblies, to join
in religious services, were not good at certain seasons of the
year. 5. The means of religious intelligence were limited.
Eev. John Andrews (my immediate predecessor as editor)
published the only religious paper in the United States at
Chilicothe, in 1814. Good books and tracts were very
few. Sabbath Schools were not generally established.
The Bible and the Catechism were the chief aids, and were
adapted to accomplish what the vast amount of religious
fiction cannot in our day. 6. Political partisanship was
excessive during these years. Some good men became in-
volved in it — especially in elections for Governor of the
State — because his power of conferring offices in the sev-
eral counties was great. This led many to forget to aim
chiefly to have Divine government placed upon the " shoul-
der " of Jesus. 7. In 1816, what has been called " the
College war" began. It grew out of the course of the
Trustees of Washington College in electing the President
of Jefferson for President. It continued in the centre of
influence within the bounds of the Synod for two years,
and those more distant sympathized. The Spirit of the
Lord was not among the people as formerly. These
were some of the external hindrances to the prosperity of
the Church, along with the ordinary ones, that are internal
— the want of sanctification, and faith and perseverance in
" well doing," in dependence on God. Their existence led
the Synod to take measures, in 1821, to bring about a
better state of things.

THE MEANS USED.

What follows is part of what it adopted, viz.: The Synod
of Pittsburgh, in taking a retrospective view of the past,
feels mingled emotions of gratitude and sorrow. God in

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 3 I

righteous displeasure is withholding the influence of his
Spirit, and our Zion mourns. Therefore, on motion,

Resolved, 1. That it be recommended to the congregations under
onr care, to observe Wednesday, the 14th day of November next, as a
day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, in reference to the low state
of religion among us, and that the ministers belonging to the
Synod improve that opportunity to impress on their hearts the ne-
cessity of a reformation.

2. That it be recommended to the members of the Synod to make
special efforts, by meditation, self-examination and secret prayer, for
a revival of religion in their own hearts, and while they make this a
part of their daily business, that they devote Tuesday, the 6th day
of November next to this particular object.

It was also recommended to the ministers of this Synod
to go two and two, according to the direction of our Sa-
viour, and visit the congregations in their vicinity. To
adopt this course in the future by the Synod, there had
been encouragement from the narrative as to what had
taken place in the Presbyteries of Grand River and Fort-
age, then parts of the Synod. By such means, the work of
reviving had begun in about eight congregations of each
Presbytery.

There is reason to believe that the recommendations of
the Synod were faithfully carried out. For appointed days
of fasting and humiliation, meant more at those times than
the name and form. The reports of the admissions to the
Church next year, 1822, showed an increase of member-
ship. Some congregations, not so numerous as others, re-
ceived a proportionate number of communing members.
I think the figures given at that time might be re-
lied upon, as numbering those who, after careful exam-
ination as to their gracious change, had been ready to
give a reason of "the hope that was within them, with
meekness and fear," as enjoined by the Apostle Peter.
Judging from the numbers reported, it would appear that

32 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

following the special means, there had been encouraging
ingatherings. And this occurred in some churches where
the pastors were aged, and in some where they were sup-
posed not to be gifted as much with talent as some others
in the -ministry. This increased encouragement continued
during a succession of years, caused by continued showers
of divine influence in different places.

About the year 1828 they became more powerful, and so
continued till about 1832, when the strife about errorists
and measures and ecclesiastical policy, began to become
prevalent, and then there was for some years, a decline in
the interests of practical religion. But during these years,
while God evinced his sovereignty and grace in different
places and with different j^ersons, he also fulfilled his word,
" for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Special applications of this fact might not now be wise.

OTHERS IN USE.

You have seen from my former statements, that national
war, controversy and rivalry between literary institutions
and divisions in the congregations, were unfavorable to true
religion. When they passed away, the way was prepared
for the special work of the Spirit, who stirred up the minds
of ministers and people to their appropriate duties, and
aided them in their performance. Though all did not
equally experience those obstacles, all were not equally
without evidence of spiritual prosperity, for the two
churches in Pittsburgh, under the pastoral care of Kev.
Drs. Herron and Swift, were still favored under the labors
of those excellent men.

A detailed account of the means preceding the revivals
in certain places, would show that there was prayer in con-
cert at sunrise ; often only by a few persons, and sometimes
by a few women alone. The inconveniences of small
dwellings, led some to repair to the barns, or woods, or

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 33

fence-corners for a closet for private prayer. All this God
saw, and he heard their supplications. Such means pre-
pared the way for his presence, along with the day of pub-
lic humiliation, one of which has been particularly speci-
fied. When a revival began, people changed the ordinary
subjects of conversation, and their prayers were not of the
stereotyped kind formerly used. The people at the place
of worship were solemn, and they left it without laughter.
The "wicked one " did not catch away " that which was
sown in the heart."

THE ministers' LABORS.

Though the financial support of most of the ministers
was limited, yet when the Spirit of the Lord gave indica-
tions of his presence, they left all and gave themselves
" wholly to the work " of saving souls " from death." It
was not at such times difficult to preach, having " an unc-
tion from the Holy one." The language used was not
characterized by literary elegance, but by great plainness
of speech and tenderness. " The terrors of the Lord " were
preached, knowing that " by the law is a knowledge of sin"
necessary to receive ; or, as the phrase was after, to " close
in with Christ." Each minister had some peculiar gifts.
Dr. John McMillan and Rev. Robert Johnston, with their
strong voices, were heard with solemn awe ; Dr. Anderson
laid open the inmost working of the soul ; Rev. Elisha
Macurdy, with measured, expressive language and deep
emotion, called ujoon the sinner to be reconciled to God ;
Drs. Matthew Brown and William Wylie, with affectionate
earnestness, invited him to Christ, who had made an atone-
ment; Drs. A. G. Fairchild, A. O. Patterson and Obadiah
Jennings presented the truth in its rich variety with clear-
ness, and in its adaptedness to the case of the inquirer.
Some excellent men, not gifted with great oratorical power,
but with minds richly furnished with gospel truth, and

34 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

feeling hearts, were wonderfully successful in winning
souls — such as Rev. G. M. Scott, Rev. William Speer,
Rev. Samuel Tait, and Rev. Johnston Eaton ; and others,
not so generally known, were in their congregations, during
this period, blessed with evidence of God's special presence
among his people in different parts of this then widely-
extended Synod. Alas ! all these, and more than as many
more, who were contemporary fellow-laborers, whose voices
I have heard, have passed away. Many, too, who were
younger in life, and very successful in promoting revivals,
are gone. Rev. Job F. Halsey, Dr. George Marshall, and
Dr. John Stockton, were interesting and much desired
during times of spiritual awakening, and by their instru-
mentality many were converted to God. Rev. Daniel De-
ruelle, licensed with me at Princeton, and afterwards pas-
tor for a short time at Washington and at Florence, in the
same Presbytery, though not of great learning, had upon
his mind, the " solemn weight of eternal things " ; and,
having a series of sermons adapted to awaken, and carry
on the cure of the soul through the instrumentality of
truth, was very useful during the period mentioned. It
had become understood, by spiritual discernment, that not
all kinds of truth were equally adapted to promote a revi-
val. Some sermons, cold and clear as ice, were not of
much more use at such a time than ice would be to fire.

PERSONS RECEIVED AS MEMBERS.

The officers did not aim so much to publish after a meet-
ing of some days, that a certain number had been added ;
as in due time to give an account of the work of the Spirit,
and the reason they had for believing that God had
changed some persons before they were admitted to the
privileges of communicants. Such revivals were not short
lived, and like the " streams in the South" that soon dried
up. The fruits continued. Though during the period

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 35

under recollection, the work of the Lord was somewhat
different from what it was from 1802 to 1807, it had in
some places a like continuance. At Cross Creek, where
Dr. Stockton was pastor during 1828 and 1829, there were
just three hundred persons received on examination.
Though this took in a large number of the people not
previously members, there were also received fifty-seven
additional in the three following years. It was somewhat
so in other places, because the people abounded in the
work of the Lord. He gave " the increase." It continued
till 1831, for that year the Synod said in its Narrative,
" We have reason to bless the great Head of the Church,
that he has not entirely left himself without witness, by
adding 1,140 from the world."

DECLENSION.

The next year there was evidence of declension and dis-
traction in the churches, which eventuated in a division, by
which there were separated from our branch, such men as
John Seward, Caleb Pitkin, William Hanford, and Ran-
dolph Stone, formerly members of this Synod, and from
our midst Rev. Dr. Riddle, who had been so much beloved
and so useful. These facts are now only referred to that
those succeeding us may be profited by what has been de-
plored, as well as encouraged by what has rejoiced the
hearts of those sleeping in the dust.

CHAPTER YII.

The State of the Church feom 1821 to 1828 — From
1828 TO 1832 — Female Influence at this Period.

N 1821 the Synod of Pittsburgh took special action on
the state of religion, and directed that their report
__ should be published and circulated in pamphlet form
through the agency of Rev. Joseph Patterson, ever ready to
do good through the printed page. Though there had
been some revival in the churches of Grand River and
Portage Presb}^eries, there had now been felt by the mem-
bers of the Synod (who were designating certain measures)
such desires that they say : " In fine, the condition of the
Church seems to call loudly on all the friends of Zion to
awake from their slumbers, to take the alarm for them-
selves and the Church of God, to repent and do the first
works."

In connection with the injunctions of the narrative, the
Synod expressed " the want of some convenient vehicle for
the circulation of religious intelligence," and gave an invi-
tation to Rev. John Andrews to transfer his paper to Pitts-
burgh, where it became the " Pittsburgh Recorder," and a
great aid, under the editorial care of that hoary headed,
small, godly man, to the promotion of practical piety. The
measures of public humiliation and private devotion were
followed more generally within the bounds of the Synod,
with more revivals than had been experienced for some
years of a permanent nature among the members of the
Church, and attended with careful admission to her mem-

36

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. ^J

bership. Some of them were in the new churches in the
Western Reserve ; one at Mill Creek, under the 23astoral
care of Rev. G. M. Scott, one at Cross Roads, one at Mt.
Pleasant church, Beaver county, one at George's Creek,
and one at Chartiers. So that in 1823, Dr. McMillan re-
ceived forty new members, and the next year thirty more,
and the students in Jefferson College were subjects of it.
There, a blooming, sprightly youth, who afterwards became
one of its Presidents, was brought to consecrate all to
Christ. Thus, by a more devoted regard to the service of
God and his Church, there was an increase of church mem-
bers who were of permanent use in the Kingdom of the
Redeemer.

FROM 1828 TO 1832.

There were "times of refreshing" in many places in
connection with the proper use of means. In 1828, before
it was expected, the Lord had showed His willingness to
pour out his Spirit, and verify the prophecy of Is. Ixv. 24,
" While they are yet speaking, I will hear." This had
been specially so in congregations in Washington County,
at Florence, Cross Creek, Buffalo, Mount Prospect, and
Washington. A solemn, silent w^ork had been commenced,
which lasted in perpetual fruit. In some places on week
days, when the minister dismissed the people, some sat
down to weep, wishing to be instructed further in answer
to the question, what they should do to be saved. At
Mount Prospect, then a new organization without a pastor,
a licentiate, by invitation, preached on the Lord's day in
June, two plain sermons, and then appointed a meeting for
prayer and exhortation in the afternoon at Elder Cowan's
house. When the people were dismissed, some did not
leave, and after being further instructed still remained in
tears. This so affected the venerable elder that he arose
and spoke to the inquirers with streaming eyes. Though

3S RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

at Washington, inquiry meqtings were held before Dr. O.
Jennings removed to Nashville, they were continued, be-
sides frequent preaching, every Monday night for many
months. Elders there, and pious women, were helpers in
calling some to believe on Christ. Among those brought to
give evidence of a saving change, were some of the most
influential persons, as Dr. E. R. Reed, and some of the
students of the college, who afterwards became useful min-
isters.

From what was experienced in other parts of the bounds
of the Synod, its members were led to recommend special
private and public means as it had done in 1821. A com-
mittee was appointed, as the Synod expressed it, " to take
into consideration the state of religion in our bounds." Dr.
M. Brown was chairman. They brought in a long paper,
which, after stating, " there is abundant encouragement that
God wdll give his blessing and revive his work," pointed
out very much the same duties for ministers and people as
in 1821. Also, at one meeting of the Synod, the forenoon
of Wednesday was spent in earnest and devotional exer-
cises. The result of this waking up to the more faithful
use of the means of grace was, that during the next two or
three years, there were but few congregations that had not
enjoyed some revival.

In the narrative of 1831, the Synod reported about some
congregations, and in some instances about some Presby-
teries. In regard to George's Creek congregation, of which
Rev. Dr. Fairchild was pastor, it said : " The work of di-
vine grace which commenced last year still continues. Its
precious fruits have already numbered more than one hun-
dred." I remember that he asked leave of absence because
of the interesting state of his church at home, in that mod-
est, gentlemanly way which always characterized him.

In the Presbytery of Erie, the Synod reported the
churches of " Erie, Meadville, Northeast, Forks of French

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 39

Creek, Fairview, Springfield, Salem, and Warren, as fa-
vored joortions of God's heritage ;" that in the Presbytery
of Allegheny there were favorable indications ; that in the
congregations of Steubenville and Two Ridges there had
been large additions ; that in the Presbytery of Hartford,
Youngstown, Neshannock, Moorfield, Hoj^ewell, Canfield,
and Ellsworth, "had shared the Lord's mercy."

So, in consequence of increased personal piety, there was,
during these years, an increased interest in missions, educa-
tion. Sabbath Schools and temperance societies. The Synod
said that these, " with social prayer and four days' meet-
ings, accompanied with a plain and pointed exhibition of
God's truth, have been the means He has owned and blessed."
These facts might be brought to ,view fifty years after they
occurred, that the churches now seeking to see a time of
revival may be profited, especially by the example of per-
severance.

FEMALE INFLUEXCE AT THIS PERIOD.

Christian women generally were not highly literary.
None made public addresses. A" few^, like Mrs. Dr. Allan
D. Campbell, wrote on religious subjects. Mrs. Job F.
Halsey framed some of the lessons in the "Union Ques-
tion " book, published by the American Sunday School
Union, and wrote the tract, "Who Slew All These?" and
also edited a small Sabbath School paper. The pecuniary
means of the majority were limited, and their w^ork for
Avomen in the missionary cause w^as not extensive. Yet
they had " Dorcas " and " Mite " and sewing societies, which
did not often degenerate into gossiping institutions. The time
spent w^as in useftil communications. They were not often
luxurious in their festive entertainments. There was usually
simplicity in their apparel, in conformity to the sidvice of
the Apostle, in I. Tim. ii. 9, and to that of Peter the Apostle,
in his first epistle, third chapter, third and fourth verses.

40 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

They early took part in the temperance reformation, though
some few reluctantly gave up tendering their domestic wines.
Tract distribution in some towns, was carried on byHhem,
though there was this mistake, that they gave the same
medicine every month to all that were diseased. They were
benefited by reading No. 226, published by the American
Tract Society" on "Female Influence."

CHAPTER YIII.

Missionary Reminiscences — Efforts Among the In-
dians— In Africa, In India, In China, and in
Japan.

/~P\here have been frequent occasions for both thanks-
giving to God for missionaries and sympathy ^Yith
them; thanksgiving that God made some willing to
go to the heathen and the destitute; and sympathy exer-
cised for the servants of Christ abroad, and for the be-
reaved at home. Reminiscences of the past may prepare
to exercise gratitude and sympathy in the future. In
giving some, I shall be pardoned for confining myself to
those of which I had a personal knowledge. Our branch
of the Church oiice aided the American Board in her mis-
sionary efforts.

INDIANS.

In November, 1820, Rev. Cyrus Byington, with teachers
and a large family of helpers, passed down the Ohio River
in a common flat-boat, on their way to the Choctaw tribe
of Indians, then in the Yazoo country. When they left
SteubenviUe, after spending the Sabbath in the congrega-
tion of Rev. O. Jennings, on Monday moruiug, they floated
off amidst the ice, then making rapidly, and called forth
the sympathy of the good people of the church.

Though in some places there was a declension of personal
religion, the spirit of evangelizing the Indians had con-
tinued and operated through the " Board of Trust "all
these past years. Rev. George ^I. Scott was sent to the
4* 41

42 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Sandusky Indians as early as 1804. In 1808 Rev. Messrs.
Macurdy, Marquis and Anderson visited Sandusky. The
former remained for a time with them under discouraging
circumstances. Afterwards Mr. Macurdy visited the In-
dians at Sandusky with Rev. James Scott ; then the Corn-
planter Indians in 1816 ; then the Indians on the Maumee,
with Rev. Joseph Stevenson ; then with Rev. James C.
Crane, and last with Rev. Dr. Anderson, traveling in all,
in behalf of the Indians, in a muddy country, about 4,500
miles. In sympathy wdth him, many of our youthful
voices sang at the fireside the hymn, " Poor Indian! in the
dark wood."

But others partook of the same spirit of interest in the
Indians. Rev. E. P. Swaft and Rev. Michael Law visited
Maumee in 1821 in their behalf. The latter, on his return,
died in Ohio, having been the useful pastor of Montour's
church. In 1822, Rev. Samuel Tait w^as appointed Super-
intendent of the Ottawa mission on the Maumee by the
Board of T^ust. In 1823, I knew something of its zeal, in
being requested, at Cleveland, to secure a passage in a
sailing vessel, on Lake Erie, for Rev. Ludovicus Robbins
and his wife as missionaries to the Ottawas. I did the
best I could, w^hich was to get them on board of a filthy
ship, and alone see them sail away, for there were but three
other Presbyterian male members in the town of Cleve-
land. Thus they went at the close of day on shipboard to
teach Indians, many of whom had been besotted by the
white traders' liquor.

At the close of the year 1825, it was my privilege to ac-
company that most remarkable, noble, godly man, Rev.
James C. Crane, from his long visit to the Indians, on his
return home to New York, where the United Foreign Mis-
sionary Society, was then located, of which he was Secre-
tary, and to hear him preach in affliction his last sermon.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 43

at Bedford, on the text, " For your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich." In continu-
ing our journey in the stage, the severe cold made him
worse from day to day, so that when he arrived at New
York, he lay down to speak in partial derangement about
the Indians and to die and go to his rest. This event cre-
ated sympathy for his bereaved family, and general sorrow
in the Church.

AFRICA.

Joseph W., son of Rev. Thomas Barr, was ordained a
missionary in 1832, to Africa, and was within five days of
sailing from Norfolk, with Rev. J. B. Pinney, to Western
Africa, when God's swift chariot, the Asiatic cholera, car-
ried him to heaven. The father wept for his son Joseph,
and many kindred and friends joined in the sorrow.

Other brief reminiscences I give that have elicited grati-
tude and sympathy, without giving anything like a full
history.

Rev. John Cloud was the son of an elder in my neigh-
boring congregation of Hopewell. He was ardent in the
attempt to help Africa. Just before he sailed he delivered
a moving address to my people, and went with Mr. Laird
and his wife, in Nov., 1833. But without waiting until he
would become acclimated, he exposed himself in attempts
to benefit the people, and became prostrated with the
African fever, and soon died. This left an aged father and
friends to mourn.

INDIA.

No name in our Church has given more cause for grati-
tude, and yet excited more sympathetic feeling, than that
of Lowrie. I knew John C. as a devoted student. I went
with him on the Ohio river, in 1833, when he was visiting
her who became his missionary wife, and I going to visit
(at the request of Rev. Dr. Swift) certain Southern Pres-

44 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

byteries to iuterest them iu our " Western Foreign Mis-
sionary Society." He, Avith Mr. Reed and their wives,
were the first to go for us to India. His beloved Louisa
A. left the delightful home of her father, Mr. Thomas
Wilson, of Morgantowu, to devote herself as a missionary
to the heathen; but it pleased God to take her away a
short time after their arrival at Calcutta. Her husband
was left to go alone in his missionary service and explora-
tions in Northern India, till his health failed him. Mr.
Keed, with pulmonary disease, attempted to return home,
but was buried in the Bay of Bengal, and his wife came
back to Pittsburgh a widow. Their Christian heroism was
the means of exciting a missionary spirit in the churches
at home, which has so continued that an increasing and
large number of missionaries now occupy different parts of
India, with nearly a thousand church members and thou-
sands of pupils in schools. It has spread so that our mis-
sionaries occupy other countries, not without sacrifices,
calling for gratitude that some have been willing to make
them, and causing sympathy of the deepest kind for those
who have been sutiferers.

Walter M. Lowrie, a brother of John C. Lowrie, making
an excursion in a ship in the China seas, to spread the
gospel, was attacked by pirates, and when sitting on his
trunk reading was hurled by them into the ocean ; and
when he attempted to board the ship again, the pirates
pierced him with pikes unto death, and his blood colored
the waters. How sad was this to the heart of an aged
father, who had leit a lucrative position in the Senate
of the United States to become Secretary of our Board
of Missions in 1835, and continued many years watching
and laboring with intense seriousness in the missionary
work.

Rev. John Ne^Yton, a small, benevolent, jr.undiced-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 45

looking young man, went from our Seminary as the others
did. He was accompanied by Rev. James Wilson. Dr.
Newton has been very much blessed with sons, who with
their wives, are also missionaries in India. When I once
met the pale-looking little man traveling the Steubenville
turnpike, in the dust, on foot, I thought he could scarcely
endure an eastern climate as a missionary for any length
of time. The Church should be thankful for such a man
and his wife, with such a family.

CHINA.

China, at the beginning of our foreign operations as a
Church, lay before it as it did before the Christian world,
with its upward of three hundred million people, in a state
of heathenism. It was inaccessible. So late as 1830, when
Gutzlaff, the heroic missionary from Basle, approached it,
he could only ascend some of its rivers in boats and throw
out tracts upon the shore. To have attempted more would
have been to sacrifice his life to the violence of its inhabit-
ants. In 1834, when a member of the General Assembly
at Philadelphia, I saw Dr. Abeel ordained as a medical
missionary, with the understanding that he would have a
dispensary, especially for the cure of opthalmia. The
Chinese, it was thought, would receive him to heal inflamed
eyes, and he could talk the gospel. His was a solitary un-
dertaking that excited sympathy. Passing by, necessarily,
missionaries that I knew elsewhere, I can only notice some
of those who left our own section of the Church.

Rev. Robert W. Orr, of Clarion county, after pursuing
a full course in our Theological Seminary, was ordained a
missionary to China, in 1837. He sailed with his wife for
Singapore in December. He visited the neighboring
islands, aiming to do good, preparatory to a permanent lo-
cation. His health failed and he returned to his native
land. All this first excited gratitude that he was willing

46 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

to consecrate himself to God, bat it likewise created sym-
pathy in the family of his venerable father, an elder, and
in the minds of others, and was a great trial to his beloved
wife. To him the disappointment was great. AYhen
j)reaching in my pulpit, adverting to the trials of the ser-
vants of God in foreign lands, he came to speak of their
learning the languages, and then sometimes when about
ready to preach, becoming broken down with disease, and
at this utterance he was overcome. He had a peaceful
end of his labors in March, 1857, and will be affectionately
remembered by the friends of missions and his co-presby-
ters in these Synods.

Eev. Joseph S. Travelli, of Sewickley, a missionary of
the American Board, made similar efforts to Mr. Orr,
in the same part of the world, and they terminated much
in the same way ; but he lives to do good.

A treaty, as the result of an iniquitous war upon the
part of Great Britain, opened the way for the introduction
of missionaries into China. One of these was the present
Rev. Dr. A. P. Happer, of Canton. I remember when he
came a youth into my church, and spread out a map of the
laud of Sinim (China) and lectured from prophecy about
it in his modest but decisive way, which made us feel that
he was in earnest. His faith in God and his promises led
him to go an unmarried man and leave a widowed mother
in Mingo congregation. The Church has been grateful for
his early and long-continued services, and sympathized
with those that felt his absence, serving the Lord as a
medical man, and as opener of the eyes both of the bodies
and souls of the Chinese. When he was in this country
last, grey hairs were upon him, and he was worn in the
service of the first missionary to earth — Jesus. Dr. Happer
is assisted by his wife and two of his daughters as mission-
aries, and has been aided by his son Andrew, now at Pe-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 47

king, and thus there is o-rouud for gratitude that he has
help out of his own household, like Dr. Newton, in India.

Our beloved brother, Dr. William Speer, went some
years since to China, after marrying Miss Brackenridge, a
choice young lady of Pittsburgh. But it j^leased God to
remove her from earth, not long after their arrival at Can-
ton. His health failed, and it was necessary that he should
return to this country. After serving the Church as Sec-
retary of the Board of Education, and by preaching, his
regard for the people of China remained, and he visited
California and labored there for a season, and then again
visited China itself, and is now promoting its interests. All
sympathized with him in the early loss of his wife ; still
all are grateful that God continues him, the friend of
China, when our citizens and the government are in danger
of doing the people of that country great injustice.

More recently, Kev. David N". Lyon, of Wooster Pres-
bytery, left his widowed mother (Mrs. Chidester) and mar-
ried Miss Doolittle, who also left her widowed mother, and
they went to Hangchow (the city that was nearly destroyed
by the rebellion in China), and have been useful in start-
ing churches. I have seen these widowed mothers in their
anxiety about those who had forsaken them for " the king-
dom of heaven's sake." Hope bore up the mother of Mr.
Lyon that she would see him at the close of ten years ; but
she has not long since departed to " a better country," and
anxiety is ended. There is not ground now for as much
anxiety on behalf of missionaries as when the first ones
went out to sail for four or five months, on dangerous seas,
without the use of steamships, doubling the CajDe of Good
Hope to reach Asia.

SIAM.

Rev. Jonathan Wilson, about twenty years ago, with his
youthful wife was summoned, while w^e were together at

48 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

North Branch church, to prepare to sail for Siara. He
had left his parents in Bethlehem church, where I had
seen him in his childhood, and she had left her parents in
Ohio, whom I knew as devoted Christians. He hastily
left his wife in my care for a short time. They followed
the call of God to a distant foreign land. There, in the
providence of God, the Asiatic cholera removed Mrs. Wil-
son from her early labors, and he was left to work almost
alone. He was there when two of their most devoted
converts to Christianity suffered a cruel martyrdom with
Christian courage. After a time he returned to this
country and found a help-meet in the daughter of Mr.
McClure, a venerable elder at Bethlehem. After a few
years, his and her health failed so much that a visit
to this country became necessary. She remained for a
time, but he returned to Siam and left her to recuperate
farther while he would resume his foreign work among the
Laos people in Siam. In Mr. Wilson and wife there has
been self-denial for the kingdom of heaven's sake, and
ground for gratitude.

At Raccoon church, shortly after. Rev. S. G. McFarland
parted with a numerous congregation and his mother, and
the same evening a large assembly, amidst the darkness,
met within the bounds of Miller's Run congregation to
hold a farewell meeting in sympathy with Mrs. McFar-
land, the daughter of elder John Hays, and sister of three
brothers in the ministry. Such tender regard for her, and
interest in the cause of missions I had not before witnessed.
Next morning, at her father's house, we bade Dr. McFar-
land and his wife farewell with tears of gratitude and
prayer. Since his visit to this country and return, he is
in the service of the King of Siam, as Superintendent of
Education in the kingdom ; and yet they both can further
the cause of missions successfully.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 49

JAPAN.

It was an evening of interest to the Synod meeting in
the First Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, when Kev.
David Thompson, a pale-looking youth, unmarried (who
had left his mother in Ohio), was ordained a missionary to
Japan. He was among the first that we sent to that em-
pire, just opened to receive preachers and teachers at cer-
tain points. It was something as Penn said about the set-
tlement of Pennsylvania, " a holy experiment." The edict
against Christianity remained unrepealed. When called
by my Presbytery to give the charge to Mr. Thompson, I
felt it to be so, as did others ; but afterwards a communi-
cation from him, after his location at Yeddo, gave ground
for thankfulness. All the results there have since been
the cause of great gratitude among the churches.

The event, in connection with our missionary efforts,
which caused the deepest anxiety and sympathy, was the
cruel death of our four martyred missionaries and their
wives in India. It is still fresh in the minds of many that
these eight persons were cast into a well at Cawnpore. In
us, who knew the smiling and benignant face of little
Maria Bigham, who afterwards became Mrs. Campbell, the
wife of one of them, and shared that terrible death, it cre-
ates a thrill of horror to this day.

The departure of other foreign missionaries, from this
part of the Church, created gratitude and excited sympa-
thy, such as that of Mr. Mateer and Miss Shaw for China ;
and Miss Dickey, the daughter of that excellent Christian
man, Isaiah Dickey ; and Miss Ogden, of a noted good
family, for India ; and Mr. Schneider, for Brazil.

Since then, Miss Anna R. Davis has gone to Japan from
this part of the Ohurch, and others, with a like spirit of
doing good, have gone to the heathen elsewhere.

CHAPTER IX.

Religious Papers up to 1833.

/7T\ s religious papers are so necessary to promote the in-
M terests of the Church, intelligent readers will cheer-
jL _Lfully peruse some recollections of the difficulties en-
countered in their origin and progress.

The object at first of the Synod of Pittsburgh was, not
to secure a weekly paper, but a monthly magazine.
" Twelve members were chosen to be the editors thereof.'^
A committee of three of them were to have " the special
superintendeucy," viz. : Rev. John McMillan, Thomas
Moore, and John Anderson. As this was in 1802, none as
yet had received the title D. D. Both were country pas-
tors blessed with revivals, and both of them have been
well known as ministers and instructors. My personal
knowledge of Mr. Moore was limited, only having heard
him preach a fervid sermon with flowing tears, in Dr. Mc-
Millan's pulpit, when both were aged men. They were,
no doubt, adapted to the work, for the following year a
motion was made in Synod to reward them, but they de-
clined. Mr. Ralston was added to the managing commit-
tee, and Mr. Swan became one of the twelve editors. The
Western Magazine was the first of their labors, which had
an existence for a few years, but not a paper of general re-
ligious intelligence. Some other attempts to publish peri-
odicals, much in the same way, were made in other parts
of the Church, but they were not longer lived than the
magazine from Washington, Pa.

50

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 5 I

THE WEEKLY RECORDER.

The first religious newspaper published in the United
States was at Chillicothe, Ohio, in July, 1814, by Rev.
John Andrews, entitled the Weekly Recorder, in quarto
form. For a time it was the only weekly messenger to the
churches. After some time, the Bosto7i Recorder, by Mr.
Willis, became the vehicle of intelligence, especially to the
Kew England churches. Still later, the Neiv York Ob-
server was published by the Messrs, Morse, for the benefit
of the Church at large. Though the Weekly Recorder had
for its field of circulation the whole territory west of the
mountains, yet a large part of it was a wilderness, and
even a large part of Ohio up to 1821. The people had
not yet generally felt the need of such an assistant to fam-
ily instruction ; and the religious intelligence from foreign
countries was not large. The Missionary Herald, pub-
lished at Boston, was the special organ of the American
Board, but did not meet the wants of a weekly paper for
our western churches. The Weekly Recorder being poorly
supported, and the Synod of Pittsburgh, feeling the need
of an organ of intelligence in their midst. Rev. John An-
drews was received as a corresponding member from the
Synod of Ohio. A committee, composed of Rev. Messrs.
Elisha P. Swift, Elisha Macurdy, Francis Herron, Wm.
Speer, and Thomas E. Hughes, was appointed " to inquire
into the expediency of establishing a periodical publication
of religious intelligence, under the sanction and patronage
of this Synod, designed to disseminate religious information
to the churches under our care." The committee reported,
and after considerable discussion, the report was recom-
mitted to the committee. The resolutions of Synod laid
the foundation for the

THE PITTSBURGH RECORDER,

which was soon published in folio form and took the place

52 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

of the Weekly Recorder at Chillicothe. At Pittsburgh, it
probably had a more extended circulation ; but religion
was confessedly in a low state for a few years in the
churches, with some exceptions; and when it is so,
people have no great desire for religious intelligence. Mr.
Andrews had the piety and intelligence for his work as
editor, but was wanting in courage — or audacity, I might
call it — and was too poor to go into great expenditures.

THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

In 1828, Rev. John Andrews expressed his desire to the
Synod to transfer the Recorder, then called the Spectator,
into other hands. No member of the Synod appeared
willing to assume the responsibility of purchasing it and
becoming its editor. Some members spoke to me on the
subject. Eev. Dr. Brown, with one of the significant ges-
tures of his head, said: "You can take it, and if you do
break up you can still preach." The arrangement to pur-
chase from Mr. Andrews was made. Synod adopted reso-
lutions recommending the change, and Rev. Messrs. Swift
and Hoge " were appointed a committee to prepare an ad-
dress to the public on the importance of sustaining and ex-
tending the influence of said publication."

My services at AVashington, under interesting circum-
stances, were brought to a close. I resolved to call the
paper the Christian Herald, in view of the great work of
aiding to proclaim the gospel. The Synod of 1828 had
taken vigorous measures to promote Domestic and Foreign
Missions conjointly ; to promote the cause of education for
the ministry ; to sustain the then new Western Theological
Seminary ; to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath ; and had
adopted a strong paper recommending total abstinence
from ardent spirits, and urged special means to promote a
revival of religion, which had already occurred in some
congregations. All these measures I felt heartily desirous

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 53

to sustain by the paper. The first number was sent out
early in January, 1829, and I soon made the annunciation
of a determination, at all hazards, to sustain the temper-
ance cause, which was still opposed by some men of influ-
ence. The result was that, before the close of the year,
some ordered discontinuance, on the ground that there was
too much said about liquor. The battle was still to be
fought against strong drink, as well as against wine and
malt liquor. As editors expect now thousands of sub-
scribers, so I should have had, but I began with four hun-
dred and forty-seven. Trusting that Providence would
sustain a good cause, we went forward, intending, if we
did " break up," it should be after an honest etfort. This
led me to the Synod at Zanesville, and my friend, Allen C.
Miller, who became a useful minister, to make many a
severe ride. Pastors and other friends sustained us, so
that we lived, but made nothing beyond expenses. Rev.
J. F. Halsey, D.D., with all his vigor and ardor in the
cause of the Redeemer, became assistant editor for a time.
Mr. Harvey Newcomb superintended the printing, and
afterwards became the writer of various Sabbath School
books. Subsequently, those excellent men, D. and M.
Maclean, became partners and publishers, and I alone the
editor. During this period, I also had charge of two con-
gregations, Was editor of the Presbyterian Preacher, and
was often called to help the sick, and still occasionally suf-
fering from the labors of previous years in Ohio ; and be-
fore the beginning of 1833, I relinquished all connection
with the Christian Herald. Further, I could not publish
articles against brethren in the Church, which I knew
were not strictly true, though the authors of them thought
they were ; nor aid in taking divisory measures, which the
Church has repented of since.
5*

54 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

OTHER PAPERS,

such as were published by other denominations, I cannot
take time to notice. The New York Evangelist made its
appearance about the beginning of 1830, edited by Mr.
Leavitt, with some changes afterwards ; the Presbyterian.
about 1831, the editor being Mr. Burt, in Philadelphia.
The Fhiladelphian, edited by Dr. Ely, about this time was
looked upon, by some, as sustaining what have been called
New School doctrine and usages. Eventually it became
connected with the Richmond Telegraph and Visitor, ed-
ited by Mr. Converse. The Charleston Observer was edited
by Mr. Gildersleeve. The paper at Hudson, called the
Ohio Observer, was a portion of the time edited by my old
minister at Cleveland, Rev. Stephen I. Bradstreet. The
Banner of Truth was in newspaper form, though it had a
special object to accomplish, viz., the maintenance of the
truth against Campbellism. The author of that system
issued a periodical, properly called, in one aspect, the
milennial Harbinger. The apostle says, in the third
chapter of Timothy, that " in the last days " " evil men
and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and
being deceived." This Harbinger and its advocates of re-
ceiving " the gospel in the water," vexed the churches in
Kentucky and elsewhere. Old Dr. Clelaud erected his
Banner oj Truth, and the discharges that went forth from
it shook the system built upon the sand and the water.

I do not know of anyone now living who was a cotem-
porary editor with me.

CHAPTER X.

Recollections of Books and Tracts — Eaely Efforts
TO Obtain Books — The Synod Resolves to Secure
Tracts — In What AVay They were Used — Those
Adapted to Cure Infidelity — By the Presbyte-
rian Board — By the American Tract Society —
Books by Able Writers.

,HE Presbyterian Church, through its highest judica-
tory, made limited arrangements for the circulation of
__ a few books as early as 1772. Then eight old books,
including the Bible, were proposed and agreed to be pro-
cured and distributed. For this purpose committees of min-
isters and elders were appointed at Philadelphia and New
York, who were " restricted not to lay out this year above
ten pounds provincial currency." In 1824, the General As-
sembly spoke of Sabbath Schools as " the most useful and
blessed institution of the present day," and patronized the
circulation of the American Sunday School Union books.
In 1829, the Synod of Pittsburgh felt the need of some-
thing being published, that was more distinctly Presbyte-
rian, and therefore, " Resolved, that the Rev. Prof Halsey,
the Rev. Messrs. E. P. Swift, and S. C. Jennings be a com-
mittee to inquire into the best mode of obtaining and cir-
culating tracts on the distinguishing doctrines and discipline
of the Presbyterian Church, and that they report at the
next meeting of Synod." " The Presbyterian Board of
Publication " went into operation in 1838. Thus a full
foundation was laid for Presbyterians to carry on the work

55

56 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

of the Lord by propagating their peculiarities through
books and tracts. This did not prevent using the publica-
tions of the American Tract Society, which was organized
in 1825, and the lending of the small volumes in the pos-
session of those who were aiming to " convert the sinner
from the error of his way," and work while it was day.

IN W^HAT W^AY TRACTS WERE USED.

Christian women did something in their circulation
monthly and irregularly. They had some of the religious
policy to win to the choice of Christ, that the politician
has of a secular nature, to win to his party. Ministers,
awake to every means of usefulness, circulated them when
traveling, especially in destitute settlements. AVithout
always having time to speak to the families, they gave
these leaves of truth " for the healing of the nations." As
persons of diiferent sentiments sometimes furnish each
other with something to read, so may a pastor provide his
parishioners with sanctified literature, or a minister his
flock with such reading matter as will increase his useful-
ness. This I propose to exemplify in the case of the dis-
tribution of tracts to skeptics.

A distinguished theological professor remarked lately
that "skepticism is in the air." As the electric fluid puri-
fies, so will the diflPusion of the truth correct the poisonous
infidelity that is in circulation. People must be convinced
that the Bible is true. Energetic ministers and active
Christians who are at work will be obliged for a farther
knowledge of tracts.

First. Those published by our Board of Publication.
No. 32, " Conversion of the Earl of Rochester," pp. 32.
No. 141, " Universalist's Deathbed," pp. 8. No. 217, "Uni-
versalism Renounced," pp. 4. No. 58, " Universal Salva-
tion," by Rev. M. W. Jacobus, D.D., 18mo, pp. 40. No.
6d, " Inspiration of the Scriptures," by Rev. F. T. Brown,

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 57

pp. 36. No. 87, " There is a Hell ; the Testimony of a
DyiDg Infidel," pp. 8. No. 105, " Kun, Speak to that
Young Man," pp. 22. No. 144, " The Infidel Converted,"
by Kev. Seldeu Haines, pp. 8, published in 1872. '' Farmer
Tomkins and his Bibles," by Professor Willis J. Beecher,
of Auburn Seminary. " The Day Changed and the Sab-
bath preserved," by Rev. A. A. Hodge, D.D., price 3 cts.

In the French language : " Unbeliever's Deathbed,"
suitable for skeptical readers as a tract. " The Lord's
Day," by Rev. Adolph Monod, of France, price 5 cts.

In the German: "The Bible True," by Dr. Joseph
Franz UUiok, 18mo. This little book contains just such
truths as the German population of our great cities need.

The American Tract Society, composed of persons be-
longing to all evangelical denominations, has published
many tracts bearing upon infidelity, in different lan-
guages.

First. " One Hundred Arguments for the Divinity of
Christ," pp. 36. No. 286, "Believer's Dying Testimony."
No. 192. " The Bible of Divine Origin," by Dr. Brownlee,
pp, 40. No. 477, " Napoleon's Arguments for the Divinity
of Christ." No. 549, " John Colby, Brother-in-law of D.
AVebster." No. 351, " Infidel Reclaimed," pp. 8. No. 376,
" The Infidel's Creed," pp. 8. No. 484, " The Infidel Re-
stored," pp. 4. No. 383, " Conversion of an Aged Deist,"
pp. 8. No. 274, " The Scotsman's Fireside," an authentic
narrative, pp. 8. No. 190, "Deaths of Hume and Finley
Compared," pp. 20. No. 330, " Infidel Objections Alleged
Against Historicel Parts of the Old Testament," pp. 24.
No. 123, " The Substance of Leslie's Method with the
Deists," pp. 28. " Watson's Reply to Paine," a small vol-
ume with notices of Hume's denial of miracles, and of West
on the Resurrection.

Second. In German, the following; '• Watson's Rejoly

58 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

to Paine." "Why Does Your Priest Forbid You to
Read the Bible," pp. 8. No. 91, " Conversion of an Aged
Deist," pp. 8. No. 106, " Ullman's Evidences of Chris-
tianity," pp. 20. No. 126, "Leslie's Method with the
Deists," pp. 8. No. 161, " Communism and Christianity,"
pp. 16.

Third. In French, the following: No. 40, "The Infidel
Convinced by a Child," pp. 8. No. 22, " Difference Between
the Catholic and Protestant," pp. 16.

" Memoir of Dr. Batemen," An account of a conversion
from infidelity. No. 154, pp. 12. " Memoir of Dr. John
D. Godman, Professor of Anatomy," who died at Philadel-
phia; prepared by Dr. Sewall, of AYashington City. This
tract, as the other, is well adapted to be useful to physi-
cians, and is No. 370, pp. 24. " Where Did He Get That
Law?" A narrative of a skeptical lawyer, &c., No, 321,
pp. 4. " The Unanswerable Argument," which won an
aged lawyer to Christ. No. 440. " The Horrors of Re-
morse." A narrative of a young lawyer who embraced in-
fidelity, but saw the enormity of his sin and became a living
Christian. No. 495, pp. 4. This, with " Leslie's Short
Method with the Deist's," may be useful to skeptical law-
yers. " The General's Widow," by the late W. C. Brown-
lee, D.D., would be useful to unbelieving ladies in high
life. No. 287, pp. 32. The four-page tract called, "Don't
Unchain the Tiger," should be scattered by thousands to
benefit commqn unbelievers. It contains Franklin's advice
to Paine. To stop infidelity most successfully we must
stop the sale of liquor.

Those who wish to obtain a masterpiece against the
phases of modern infidelity, especially as advocated by
men called scientists ; 1. Procure the " Fables of Infidelity
and Facts of Faith," as set forth by Robert Patterson,
D. D. In a brief way he causes the specious appearances

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 59

of pretenders to vanish. 2. For the benefit of young men,
obtain " A Young Man's Difficulties with his Bible," by
D. W. Faunce, D.D., containing 196 pages.

CHAPTER XI.

Mode of Worship — Not Itching Ears — Not Irrev-
erence FOR God and His Worship — Insubordina-
tion.

/"TA^he work was not much hindered by those professing
submission to Christ. Not many such had what the
Apostle calls "itching ears"; that is, "endless curiosity";
an insatiable desire of variety — abandoning the good and
faithful preacher for the " fine speaker," whose teachings
often please the unrenewed and tolerate indulgences and
gratify those who wish rather to be entertained than sanc-
tified through the truth, to be amused than profited. The
gospel was received as a message from God. Ministers did
not in cities and towns have to bring some " new thing,"
and foster a taste for philosophy or " science falsely so-
called," and were not asked for preachers like Henry
Ward Beecher ; one of whose discourses I found among
the tracts which a society of unbelievers had gathered for
circulation to promote infidelity. Something of this spirit
showed itself among unbelievers, but true members of the
Church did not exhibit a desire for what is called " ad-
vance thought," which is made up of fables, both unrea-
sonable and unscriptural. There were a few of the earlier
residents within the bounds of the Synod, in circumstances
of wealth, who did not care to hear anyone preach, ordina-
rily. Their love for brandy kept them in retirement on the
Lord's day, and their want of taste for the true gospel.
Occasionally they might be induced to hear. As in one

60

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 6 1

instance, a man of some distinction understood that one
who had been an eminent lawyer had relinquished his lu-
crative practice to preach, said he would go and hear him ;
but when the service was over, said his preaching was like
the others, about Christ. Generally the professed members
were steadfast in hearing their chosen pastors.

IPwREVERENCE FOR GOD AND HIS W^ORSHIP

Was not usual. Our " Directory for Worship," requiring
the abstaining from all " indecent behaviour," w^as followed.
There was not much " outward adorning " to attract one
another ; but a feeling generally that God must be wor-
shipped " in the beauty of holiness." Amusement and
laughing in leaving the place of worship was not much
practiced. Consequently the " wicked one " did not have
much opportunity to catch " the Avord sown in the heart."
From want of a suitable house of worship the Lord's Sup-
per was often celebrated in the grove. That which might
be irreverent in some country churches was not so in inten-
tion. Farmers worn out with toil, in warm weather, would
rise from their seats and remain standing to drive away
sleep and that they might hear the word. This I saw in
my grandfather's congregation, and still later in that of
Dr. McMillan's, who, Keing a corpulent man, occasionally
when preaching in warm weather, divested himself of his
dress coat. There was then, what cannot be excused at
any time, the use of tobacco in the house of God.

INSUBORDIXATIOX.

The early Presbyterians of Western Pennsylvania knew
how to value liberty of conscience ; but having a form of
government that authorized them to choose their rulers
and pastors, they also learned to " obey those that have the
rule over you," as Paul directs, and to take Peter's advice,
" all of you be subject, one to another./ They learned it
also from the Catechism in which they were diligently in-

62 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

striicted. Those who were " overtaken in a fault," of which
there was evidence, usually submitted to discipline, as one
of God's ordinances. A good deal of this was done in con-
nection with the use of spirituous liquors, then so common.
As a spirit of love and humility prevailed, they volunta-
rily carried out the direction, " in honor preferring one an-
other." Some elders w^ere better qualified for the duties of
the office than others, and their associates would urge them
forward. But there did not appear to be many of the spirit
of Diotrephes, loving " to have the pre-eminence." I knew
well the Sessions of many churches in the towns and coun-
try, and I do not now recollect any individual that wished
to be considered " the leading man." There may have,
been some who had that well known character, called John
Johnston, but certainly elders of that kind were not nu-
merous— men puffed up, willing to divide a church that
they might come into notice. Elders of the greatest men-
tal acquirements, about fifty years ago, were not of that de-
scription. Such as Charles Porter, of Dunlap's Creek,.
Thomas Henry, of Beaver, John Reynolds, of Meadville,.
David Hoge and Judge Hallock, of Steubenville, John M.
SnoAvden and Harmar Denny, of Pittsburgh, and John
Hannen and David Maclean and Judge Grier, of Alle-
gheny City. The elders were generally men of excellence
and humility, and useful, especially in the quarters of the
congregation assigned to their supervision ; visiting the
sick and aged, and reclaiming the wandering, and yet ex-
amples of subordination.

For forty or fifty years out of one hundred and twenty-
four, I think there were but two or three ministers that
were subjects of discipline, and that upon their own confes-
sion. The unhapj^y division of the whole Church showed
great imperfections, over which some mourned before they
left the world. And there was general submission to the
laws of God's house.

CHAPTER XII.

History of Temperance Legislation in England —
In the Time of William Penn — Licensing and
Drinking in the Eighteenth Century — In the
Nineteenth — How the Act of 1846 was Approved
AND Repealed — How the Local Option Law was
Carried and Repealed — Great Mistakes.

/~T~\he judges in England discovered that both crime and
pauperism were caused by strong drink. On proper
representations to Parliament, a restrictive license sys-
tem was adopted. To make it more effectual, in the reign
of Edward HI., it was so enforced that only three licensed
houses were permitted in the city of London.

The license system of England was brought to this coun-
try by the English colonists. It became a part of our
colonial laws. We inherited it as we did slavery. Penn-
sylvanians early manifested love for whiskey.

THE TIME OF WILLIAM PENN.

Spirituous liquors were not used as a beverage on the
good ship Welcome, with William Penn. It was no part of
the " Holy Experiment." In the great law, comprising a
general system of jurisprudence, adopted at Upland, Dec.
4, 1682, "Drunkenness, encouragement of drunkenness,
drinking or pledging of health, were punished by fine and
imprisonment." [See Proud's History of Pennsylvania, p.
71.] The authority of this law Penn farther endeavored
to establish by argument. Said he : " Strong liquors are
good at some times and in some proportions ; being better
for physic than for food, for cordials than for common use."

63

64 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

To make the pernicious article as scarce and dear as possi-
ble, he was in favor of laying a heavy impost on ' strong
spirits and liquors.' " " The great and good Onas, as the
Indians called William Penn, labored to protect them
against the evil — now appealing to the humanity of the
w hites and again to the good sense of the Indians them-
selves." In 1773, at the treaty, the Indians said at Car-
lisle : " The rum ruins us. We desire it may be forbidden,
and never sold in the Indian country." But no restrictions
by any Governor prevented its use.

Various pleas prevailed, so to legislate that some use of
drink should be "permitted." The medicinal value of
spiritual liquors was the entering wedge of the great evil.
The air of this hot climate was deemed unhealthy. Our
first adventurers must have something in the form of a
" preventive." They said : " The limestone water contained
some noxious quality, and not unfrequently sudden deaths
occurred after drinking it ; they must find a substitute or
' corrective.' In the autumn, fever and ague prevailed ;
spikenard infused in spirits was an excellent remedy. The
natural small pox was very severe, and a kind of spirits
distilled out of molasses and imported from New England
was administered in various forms and esteemed absolutely
necessary for the unhappy patients. The nurses and at-
tendants, too, were recommended to use drams, either raw
or sweetened, or mixed with bitters, as antidotes against
offensive, infectious smells." [See John Watson's Obser-
vations, p. 6.]

Once admitted as a medicine, the use of spirituous
liquors speedily began to justify itself as a custom. Every
convenient opportunity that would serve as an excuse for
its introduction was but too readily embraced. Not among
the Quakers, for it was contrary to their discipline. " If
any should distill spirits out of grain, or retail such
liquors, monthly meetings would deal with them as with

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 65

Other offenders ; and if they cannot be prevailed with to
desist from such a practice, be at liberty to declare their
disunity with them."

LICENSING AND DRINKING IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

" The Blue Anchor Tavern," where Penn landed, was
destined to have a numerous and most discreditable pro-
geny. At first, indeed, the keeping of taverns was re-
stricted to widows, and occasionally to decrepit men of
good character. But soon the tavern-keeper degenerated
into a rumseller, and these houses were evidently regarded
with suspicion.

According to Watson I., p. 463, as early as 1710 it was
enacted that no person shall keep any public inn, tavern,
ale house, tippling house, or dram shop, victualing house
or public house of entertainment, unless he first be recom-
mended by the Quarter Sessions to the Governor f )r his
license. In 1721 an additional act protected minors and
servants. In 1744 the grand jury presented the enormous
increase of public houses as a great nuisance. In 1763
application was made to the Governor for regulating tav-
erns; that one only should be found in such a defined dis-
tance, or in proportion to so many inhabitants ; that the
bar-room should be closed on the Sabbath. [See ^^atson,

p. 101.]

Before this, in 1723, a bill was reported in the house of
Assembly for the encouragement of distilleries within the
province; but such was the opposition made to it, that the
Governor, Sir William Keith, would not give it his assent.
" The evil might be tolerated, but the community were not
willing to endorse and perpetuate it."

On the 27th of February, 1774, the first Continenlal
Congress, then assembled in Philadelphia, passed the fol-
lowing resolution : " Resolved, That it be recommended to

the several Legislatures of the United States immediately
6*

66 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

to pass laws the most effectual for putting a stop to the
pernicious practice of distilling, by which the most exten-
sive evils are likely to be derived, if not quickly pre-
vented."

Before the Colonies made their struggle with the mother
country for their independence, the manufacture of liquor
out of grain was not profitable. West India rum had been
imported to a destructive extent. The war cut off the
ruinous supply, and the people engaged in a home trade in
whiskey. The waste of grain was enormous, and there
was prospect of a famine. There was general alarm. The
distilleries engaged in selling small quantities as w'ell as
large. The ministers had spoken against the maddening
draughts, obtained so cheaply for near a century ; but they
found a new enemy at home, They were aided in their
opposition to the manufacture of grain into ardent spirits,
by such patriots as Dr. Franklin, David Rittenhouse, John
Dickinson, and that remarkable philanthropist, Anthony
Benezet. His funeral was the largest that had ever been
seen in Philadelphia. At length, in 1779, the Legislature
put a stop to distillation out of grain.

LEGISLATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

In 1794, Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, published
his convincing essay — " An Inquiry into the nature of ar-
dent spirits and their effects on the body and mind." It
produced serious consideration and some grand results. He
presented to the General Assembly one thousand copies,
and the members appointed a committee of investigation,
composed of our oldest ministers, who reported on the sub-
ject the following year, and various important reso-
lutions were adopted and recommended to the churches.
There had been other able and valuable tracts put into
circulation; but there was no very decisive legislation
adopted during the first part of the century. The people

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 67

became occupied in the war with Great Britain. Various
publications, however, prepared the public mind to take
measures in the future ; and the pulpit still offered some
disapprobation of the state of things. Eventually societies
were organized and conventions called, upon which fol-
lowed some legislation.

From 1840 to 1850 there were twenty-seven acts of the
Legislature passed, some of which gave prohibition or local
option to certain counties or townships or boroughs. From
the last period to 1860, there w^ere sixty-one acts passed.
From 1860 to 1870 there were eighty-nine.

HOW THE ACT OF 1846 WAS APPROVED AND REPEALED.

By this act eighteen counties and one borough and one
township were permitted to vote license or no license.
These districts severally voted no license, and Allegheny
County was among them ! The Supreme Court of the
State, in the case of Parker vs. Commonwealth, by three
of the judges against two, declared the act unconstitutional.
Judge Coulter, in giving his opinion, said if it w^ere not for
statute law a grog-shop would be declared a nuisance;
thus teaching that contrary to the principles of common
law, the Legislature keeps up nuisances.

The Supreme Court of the United States unanimously
set aside the above decision and declared that each State
had a right to abolish the. sale and even the importation of
intoxicating drinks, and thus cleared the way for prohibi-
tion. After some years, the Supreme Court of Pennsyl-
vania, in the appeal made at Philadelphia, declared the
Local Option law of 1872 constitutional, and virtually also
reversed the decision in the case of Parker vs. the Com-
monwealth. All constitutional objections are now re-
moved.

For some of the facts I am indebted to Rev. George
Duffield, formerly pastor of the Coates street church,
Philadelphia.

68 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

HOW THE LOCAL OPTION ACT OF 1872 WAS CARRIED, AND
WHY IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REPEALED.

Forty-one counties voted for it. Of the population of
the sixty-five counties and twenty-five cities, there was a
majority of 17,619 against license. Without any request
on the part of the Commonwealth (except that of the
liquor dealers), without permitting one term of its exist-
ence to pass, and against the remonstrances of thousands of
petitioners, it w'as repealed. This was caused, as a then
member of the House told me, by the presence at Harris-
burg of liquor dealers from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
It was sustained by Governor Hartranft, who had not long
before given it his signature of approval. Why was it
repealed ? Thousands of persons in the forty-one counties
would say it had begun to w^ork w'ell. But it in some w^ay
interfered with the wished gain of those interested in the
sale, or with the appetite of others ; and like almost every
effort of the kind to restrain, it has been altered or re-
pealed, and then the adherents of drink say it was a fail-
ure. No law is entirely obeyed, and shall we repeal all
our laws that are somewhat transgressed ? If the forty-
one counties had not been surrounded with liquor-selling
counties, its good results w^ould have been more complete,
and if it had got a suflScieut time for trial.

GREAT MISTAKES.

The first is, that only persons of small attainments or
fanatical tendencies have espoused the cause of total absti-
nence. All who have been willing to read, know that the
most excellent and learned ministers in Europe, as Dr.
Guthrie and Dr. Arnot, have been workers in the cause.
A large number of English physicians and chemists have
recommended the true plan of total abstinence.

The second mistake is, that alcohol is a " creature of
God," and may be used for nourishment as a beverage.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 69

Whereas it has been well ascertained by scientific investi-
gation, that there is not a particle of blood added to the
body by any alcoholic drinks, whether vinous, malt or dis-
tilled. The art of distillation was not discovered till in the
13th century, by an Arabian, who called it Alghoul, a
devil spirit. Whether the Saviour ever used wine that
was intoxicating, is a question which we cannot now dis-
cuss. His life of self-denial would have led him to do
what his apostle Paul taught (Rom. xiv. 21) — " It is good
neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing
whereby thy brother stumbleth." It is this great princi-
ple of Christian expediency, total abstinence for the good
of others, which has led Christian people to give up that
which under some circumstances might be used. It re-
mains for those who say that Jesus made intoxicating wine
to prove it. God said (Gen. i. 29) — " Every herb shall be
to you for meat." Distillation of them into an injurious
fluid is a perversion of God's creatures.

The third mistake is, that intoxicating drinks are me-
dicinal and sustaining. They stimulate temporarily.
They afterwards leave the body in a debilitated state. In
cases of extremity they may impart heat for a little time
to the glandular system. Then "give strong drink unto him
that is ready to perish." You may also " use a little wine
for the stomach sake," in certain weaknesses. But if you
use them in health, you suspend the chief material in di-
gestion— the pepsin, which will not act until the alcoholic
fluid has exhausted itself. And yet the grand mistake has
been that something will help digestion that is intoxicating.
Brandy, wine, beer and some alcoholic bitters have been
injuring thousaniJs and imparting no permanent strength.

Fourth, mistakes against Law and right. Since the
reign of Edward III. governments have attempted to di-
minish the evils from the sale of intoxicating drinks by

70 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENT\' YEARS.

the liceuse system. For more than three hundred years
it has proved a failure. It is a grand mistake to legalize
what is contrary to natural law, common law and a perver-
sion of statute law. Blackstone says : "Natural law requires
that a man shall live honestly, hurt nobody, and render to
every one his due." Try the license system by these rules.
Again he says : " Common law requires that a man shall
not use his property to the injury of another, and the consent
of the party injured is no mitigation of the offense."
Statute law, by the book, is designed to correct " what is
wrong," or supply what is " defective in common law."
Instead of correcting what is wrong, it is terribly in-
jurious.

Fifth mistake is, that to sell is a natural right. Some
years ago the right of a State to prohibit was brought be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United States. The entire
bench sustained this right of a State. Chief Justice Mc-
Lean declared that no one can claim a license to sell as a
natural right. (See 5 Howard, p. 597.) To sell intoxi-
cating drinks is simply a privilege given by legislative
act to certain persons to vend to sober men, which
often turns them into drunkards, and then the State pun-
ishes them.

The last mistake now noticed is, that a sumptuary law
is sought for by temperance people. To restrict persons
in what the}^ shall wear or eat and drink in their own
houses has never been attempted in the United States.
A man must be let by law to drink himself to death in
his own house. A prohibitory law only protects others
from his deadly work. Let liquor dealers and their
helpers cease their cry of fanaticism and trespass upon
liberty. And yet every good cause has some unwise advo-
cates.

CHAPTER XIII.

Short REMINISCE^X"ES of Ministers and Elders at
AND Near Washington, Pa.

WISH to give a few reminiscences of Presbyterian min.
isters at Washington, or who resided there before they
entered the sacred office.

MINISTERS AND ELDERS.

The first pastor, and the first I knew, was Rev. Dr.
Matthew Brown. His physical temperament was unusual,
and his spirit had not the same perfection it has in heaven.
But that he was a noble, devoted minister of Christ, none
should doubt. He drew young men towards him, and with
the afiTection and plainness of a father, he guided them in
the right way. His heart yearned for the salvation of
students ; and through his instrumentality and the work of
the Holy Spirit in times of revival, many were prepared to
study for the ministry.

The second pastor at Washington was Rev. Dr. Obadiah
Jennings. I beg liberty to give all that now can be com-
municated as extracts from the memoir of him, written by
Rev. Dr. M. Brown. First, of him as a lawyer. " He was
much esteemed by his brethren of the bar, and greatly con-
fided in by the community at large. His prospects for
earthly emolument, honor and distinction Avere as flatter-
ing as those of any of his associates, and never more so
than when he surrendered them all for the sake of preach-
ing the gospel of Christ." " Often was he observed, after
being in the business of the court, to seek refreshment

71

72 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

at the evening prayer-meeting, and after pleading a cause
at a human bar, would gladly retire to unite in the devo-
tions of the pious in pleading the cause of sinners before
the tribunal of God." Another short extract from Dr.
Brown's memoirs is made, to show how he was as a pastor
at Washington for five years : " He was zealous, faithful,
and laborious ; he took pleasure in visiting his flock, teach-
ing from house to house, catechising, conducting prayer-
meetings. Sabbath-schools and Bible classes. He was
always a welcome visitant, and had a happy facility of im-
parting instruction and giving a profitable direction to
conversation. He excelled in conversing on Christian ex-
perience and in giving counsel to the anxious, the inquir-
ing, the doubting and the distressed." " It was not with-
out a painful struggle that he tore himself away from his
pastoral charge, from numerous and endeared friends — the
companions of his youth — to spend the remainder of his
days among strangers," at Nashville.

After my relinquishment of the pulpit at Washington to
take charge of the Herald, Bev. David Elliott, D.D., be-
came the excellent pastor of the church, and temporary
President of the College. For his learning, amiability and
diligence, he was well adapted to the good people of Wash-
ington. He had been in earlier life a teacher in the Col-
lege, and was present when Dr. Brown administered the
Lord's Supper for the first time in 1805. A memoir of his
life has been written and has so fully represented him that
I forbear presenting him farther as an example.

Rev. James AV. McKennan was the son of a generous,
godly mother. Washington College was his alma mateVy
and the town the place of his residence. He turned his
attention to law, ; but God turned it to the gospel. He
was licensed to preach in October, 1828. He w^as settled
for a time in Indianapolis ; his health failing, he returned,

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 'J 2,

and was a pastor in Western Pennsylvania and in West
Virginia. His health still remaining feeble, he accepted a
Professorship in Washington College. Part of the time
he went South for a few months to get relief. Eventually
an unexpected stroke upon his limb continued to cripple
him and so disordered his whole constitution, that while
comparatively young he wore an aged appearance. His
tall frame became emaciated, and God took him away
from his most excellent wife and family. From the time
he became a Christian, his whole soul was in his Master's
work. He was my encouraging helper when he was a
student of theology, and when God was permitting me to
labor as a licentiate in a revival in the Washington con-
gregation. Candor, Christian simplicity and fraternal
feeling were manifested to men. Gratitude, obedience and
resignation to God characterized him most remarkably.
Every one that made his acquaintance found that he was
without guile, ready to contribute to their happiness, and
just as ready to administer a frank, gentle reproof as he
w^as to sympathize. Every one loved him as a Christian
companion, and a preacher of the gospel. I wish I could
draw a proper portrait of his character, that cill young
men might imitate him, who wish both to be honored and
to be useful. He and his brother John (who was an elder
at Brownsville) are hard to describe, and it is more diffi-
cult to be like them. They should be remembered.

Alexander B. Brown, D.D., was born at Washington, and
like his father (the first pastor of the Presbyterian congre-
gation) he had a strong attachment to its people. He
graduated at Jefferson College, and aided Dr. Eobert
Baird for a time at Princeton, in the instruction given in
the Academy. It w^as there that he was long and deeply
exercised about his spiritual state, and there the writer
was often visited by him for Christian conversation. He

74 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, in October, 1831.
After being in Michigan, he became successively the pastor
of Centre church and Professor in the College, pastor of
Chartiers church and President of the College, and asso-
ciate pastor of the Canonsburg church. His appearance
for some years after he entered public life was youthful
and sprightly, slender and active. Sociable, he was be-
loved by the students, by the people of his charges, re-
spected by all, and admired as a speaker. His talents,,
learning and piety prepared him for great usefulness ; and
yet he did not seek distinction, but rather preferred others
to take his place. Still he was not wanting in faithfulness ;
but God permitted disease gradually to sap the foundations
of his strength, and rather unexpectedly he passed away
to rest, leaving a bereaved wife and sons, two of whom
have since entered the ministry, promising much useful-
ness.

Dr. Eobert E. Keed, as one of the noblest sons of Wash-
ington, will never be forgotten by those who knew him ;
and his bright example in many particulars should be
handed down to other generations. I hope that in attempt-
ing to present him in early life, when I bore the relation to
him as his minister, I shall be excused for adverting to
what he and I only knew, that others may be encouraged
to persevere as he did. During the revival in the year
1828, he became deeply anxious as an inquirer. Instead
of turning back to a state of comparative indifference, he
came often to my room for conversation and prayer, and so
long was it before he was brought to rejoice in the Lord
Jesus as a Saviour that both he and I were tempted to de-
spair of a happy deliverance. He was then unmarried and
reading medicine, and had begun to exhibit that unbounded
benevolence that characterized him more fully afterwards
in giving attention to the poor that were sick, gratuitously.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 75

Subsequently he was united in marriage to one who was in
search of the " pearl of great price " at the same time he
was; and both most remarkably adorned their holy pro-
fession of religion. I cannot speak of him in this writing
as he deserves to be remembered for the good of others ;
but I may in truth say that I believe no other man in
modern times, as a layman, united more excellencies and
exhibited more virtues in life. He was kind in all his in-
tercourse with every one, besides being a most affectionate
husband and father. The poor experienced his beneficence,
the Colonization cause had in him a warm advocate, his
country in the time of its trial received his devoted services
in connection with the Christian Commission, and the
soldiers his personal presence in their distress. Before this
he had been an able representative in our National Con-
gress, and was in the service of the State as a legislator
when God took him to his rest after a brief but painful
illness from small-pox. But in his special Christian labors
does he deserve to be most remembered — the Superintend-
ent of the Sabbath School for a quarter of a century, ex-
hibiting the spirit of Jesus in his love for children, and
serving the Church for many years as an elder ; in all
things adorning his profession and showing that a true
Christian is " the highest style of man." In the office of
elder he became associated with those whom it was my
privilege to sit in council : Thomas Stockton, the venerable
father of our Dr. John Stockton ; Charles Hawkins, the
*' effectual fervent " praying elder, and father of Rev. John
Li. Hawkins ; James Orr, the sincere and humble Chris-
tian ; Jacob Slagle, full of zeal and good will to all men ;
Robert Officer, modest and retiring, but a devoted friend
of the cause of Christ ; and lastly, Robert Colmery, kind
and devout, who often sought my room that we might join
in prayer before going to the meeting for inquiry.

"J^ RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Samuel Miller was for many years a Professor in Jeffer-
son College. The following I take in part from what I
furnished for the "Centennial Volume " : He was a man of
low stature, with a penetrating eye, and in old age a
smooth, white head ; a self-made scholar, kindly in disposi-
tion, and rebuking oftener wdth the pointing of his finger
than with sharp words.

HIS EXPERIENCE.

In 1830 he retired from the College. Shortly after
which I visited him, residing near Chartiers church, where
he was still a ruling elder, and where he had long been be-
loved, as he had been by the students of the institution.
Feeling that he would not stay long on earth, he volun-
tarily said he would relate to me w^hat he never had before
to any one, in regard to his religious experience : " At one
time, under deep anxiety and distress of mind, as he walked
the streets of Canonsburg at night, he had something like
a vision of the Saviour. Whether it was a vision or a
voice, he could scarcely say, but it was such an impression
of the Saviour's presence, and so suitable to his necessities,
as led him at once with joyful confidence to commit his
soul's everlasting interests into his hands, as one who was
near him of a truth.

He ever afterwards, during his long life, remained an
humble, faithful disciple of Him who had given him this
light in his darkness. This experience was the more re-
markable from the fact that Prof Miller w^as character-
istically a matter-of-fact man, and one of the last to be
subject to any sort of hallucination.

I w^as then an editor, and though he did not ask me to
make his experience public at any time, I inferred that he
desired, for the benefit of others, it should not ahvays re-
main unknown. The experience of Luther on several
occasions was of a somewhat similar sort, and the peculiar

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. "]"]

influences which manifested themselves in the bodily exer-
cises of the early part of this century, render such experi-
ences as that of " Master " Miller less a matter of surprise
than otherwise they might have been.

CHAPTER XIV.

Recollections of Deceased Ministers.

/~T~\hese cannot be given of all who should be kept in re-
membrance. Nor is it intended to give a full memoir
of any. Such traits of character and courses of con-
duct as may be specially imitated, will be noticed. These
must be confined to some of those who were known by the
writer, and whose biographies have not been written. Dates
are not always necessary. The first is,

REV. FRANCIS HERRON, D.D.

He accepted a call from the First Presbyterian church
of Pittsburgh, on the 18th of June, 1811. His dignified
appearance. Christian deportment and love for the salva-
tion of the people, prepared him to undertake the pastoral
care of a congregation, in peculiar circumstances, in a
growing town, where as yet there were only seventy-four
members in communion. His courage and faithfulness
were crowned with the divine blessing for many years.
His mind was interested in every good institution, espe-
cially such as were adapted to raise up young men for the
ministry. His soul was not selfish ; for when other
churches in the vicinity were to be erected, he encouraged
his people to colonize. He went abroad when necessary to
aid feeble congregations, and in all things showed the lib-
eral spirit of Christ towards the whole "household of
faith." Many, besides the present memorialist, have rea-
son to be grateful that he lived as a minister, and to lament

his death.

78

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 79

REV. ELISHA P. SWIFT, D.D.

He commenced his ministerial course in Pittsburgh, No-
vember, 1819, as pastor of the Second Presbyterian church.
He early gave evidence of being a profound, serious
thinker on the great subjects of divine revelation. His
utterances were often sublime, coming from a believing
heart. His impressive personal appearance added to the
force of his thoughts, whether on doctrinal or practical
subjects. He was evidently aided in his deep conceptions
of truth by the Holy Spirit. In his life, by a deep serious-
ness of manner, he enforced what he preached from the
pulpit. He was condescending and kind in his intercourse
with the people. Sometimes, in public assemblies, he ap-
peared to be absorbed in thought. The state of the world
hung heavily upon his mind. This, in the early part of
his life led him to contemplate a mission to the heathen,
and afterwards led him to relinquish his pastoral charge,
in 1833, that he might undertake the responsible and la-
borious work of Corresponding Secretary of the " Western
Foreign Missionary Society," and to travel by day, and by
night sometimes, for two or three years. While he had a
preference for Presbyterian institutions, he cordially aided
every proper effort to help the Redeemer's kingdom. Once
when the American Tract Society was unjustifiably assailed
at length, he arose in its defence, with all the solemnity
that the occasion required, and spoke with the dignity
which usually characterized him. For he made no at-
tempts at wit. His mind soared too high to touch the low
ways taken by some debaters. In this he was an example
to many of the present generation.

Aided by a kind, dignified. Christian wife, he was ena-
bled by the blessing of God to finish' his course upon earth
in such a way that all who knew him bear testimony to his
worth ; and as a debtor to them both, the writer cherishes

8o RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

a tender regard for them in his last days upon earth, with
the hope of meeting in heaven.

REV. AARON WILLIAMS, D.D.,

was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, in October, 183L
He officiated as a minister and pastor before he was called
to be a Professor in the University of Ohio, at Athens.
After which he was Professor in Jefferson College. He
was a ripe scholar, with a mind well furnished with useful
knowledge. His sermons were accurate and instructive,
and yet not such as common hearers w^ould value as they
deserved. As a minister he was ready for every good
work, and well adapted to benefit people of refinement, and
did profit people of all classes. Retiring and modest, he
was of " the highest style of man," a Christian gentleman,
and as such was much beloved.

HENRY G. COMINGO, D.D.,

once pastor at Steubenville, I remember as one of the most
complete, as a gentleman and a minister, in the upper val-
ley of the Ohio. To try to fill out this figure w^ould re-
quire more room than I can take. God, whose ways are
" past finding out," took him suddenly, by diphtheria, from
his family, from his congregation, and from participating
in " every good work," for which he was always ready with
Christian complacency and seriousness. His fervid piety
and labors were blessed with much fruit, and his " works
do follow him,"

REV. ROBERT DUNLAP,

formerly pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, Pitts-
burgh, and a successor of Dr. Swift, will be remembered
by his limited acquaintances in this part of the Church
with gratitude, as a minister of Christ. An excellent pas-
tor, a profitable preacher, and kind and humble as a Chris-
tian ; but God was pleased to take him from earth in the
midst of his days and usefulness, by a fever.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SE\^NTY YEARS. 8 1

WILLIAM D. HOWARD, D.D.,

his successor in the pastorate, had a combination of Chris-
tian characteristics. My first knowledge of him was, that
on his way to the city of Pittsburgh, when a man who had
been attacked by the cholera on board the steamboat, and
forsaken by other helpers, he operated upon the stranger
by means adapted to aid his recovery. This spirit of com-
passion never forsook him. He was courteous as a gentle-
man, " fervent in spirit, serving the Lord " in all the ways
of usefulness. A helper in the union of the two branches
of the Presbyterian Church, in the temperance cause, and
in all the established means adopted by the Church for its
advancement. He was a warm-hearted man and an earn-
est preacher, much beloved as a pastor. But God saw fit
to close his earthly career suddenl}^, to join angels and
saints in the praises of the Redeemer.

KEY. DR. JACOBUS,

a Professor in the Western Theological Seminary, will be
ramembered as endued with acute mental faculties and
great readiness in uttering what he had acquired, as a
thorough student. He was a fine exegetical scholar, and
gave much time in preparing notes on ditferent parts of the
sacred volume. He also gave the results of his knowledge
acquired by travel in Palestine. And, when he found that
circumstances created a belief that the wine which the
Saviour made was not fermented, he did not hesitate to
state it in his commentary on the miracle performed at
Cana. Amidst his many labors as Professor, pastor, com-
mentator, and occasional writer of Christian literature,
God caused his spirit to ascend to the world of perfect
knowledge.

AN EPISODE.

Though these precious brethren, Howard and Jacobus,
were " appointed to death " suddenly, yet for the good of

82 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENT\' YEARS.

others I express the opinion that the more immediate nat-
ural cause of their removal was the absence of proper sur-
face action and circulation to the extremities, which pre-
vents free respiration, which I noticed was wanting in them
at different times. The exact connection in their cases
between cause and effect, it is not now for me to attempt
to explain.

REV. ISAAC M. COOK,

formerly pastor at Bridgewater, was eloquent, zealous, per-
severing and successful in the work of the Lord. Like
others, learned in many things, he had not practical skill
to restore to an exhausted body, in good time, what it
needed. He wore out a rather fragile frame in compara-
tively early life, not without having seen several seasons
of special revival in the church of which he was pastor.

REV. ROBERT CAROTHERS,

a highly respected pastor and presbyter, went from near
Pittsburgh to Vinton, Iowa, to be Professor in an Institu-
tion for the Deaf and Dumb. He died in March, 1882,
leaving an interesting family and other friends to mourn,
and the Church to join in sympathetic sorrows.

REV. JONATHAN CROSS

was an efficient elder in the Bethlehem church, Beaver
County, when he entered the service of the American
Tract Society as a colporteur, at Temperanceville. His
adaptedness to the work led the Society to enlarge the
sphere of his operations, so that he was employed in the
States of Virginia and North Carolina. Being a fluent
speaker, with ardent zeal in the cause of Christ, he was
very successful as God's instrument in awakening the
attention of people to the solemn realities of the eternal
world. So much so that one of our Presbyteries thought
it wise to license him to preach the gospel without the

53 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

ordinary course of study. He was also ordained, and
became a pastor of one of the churches in the city of
Wheeling for a few years. He labored very much as an
evangelist, and was instrumental in promoting revivals of
religion in many places.

CHAPTER XV.

Recollections of Deceased Ministers. {Continued.^

¥ILLIAM Smith, D. D., late Professor in Jefferson
College. The writer knew him as his youthful
instructor, sixty-four years since. He saw him on
the clay of his marriage ; he heard him preach his first
sermon in Dr. McMillan's church ; he had his assistance
at communion seasons, and was often a member with
him in church judicatories, and feels that none w^ere so
near perfection in all his characteristics as a minister.
He was learned, especially in ancient and modern lan-
guages. Faithful as a minister for more than fifty years
for the Miller's Run church, often traveling the five miles
on foot. The whole Church is indebted to him for helping
to prepare many of her ministers for their work, and the
whole country for educating some of her professional men.
Patriotically he yielded three sons to be soldiers in the
war against the rebellion. His last public services were
preaching and distributing tracts to the poor. His daugh-
ter Elizabeth, with a spirit like her father, devoted herself
to instructing poor children in New Mexico, without com-
pensation.

REV. SAMUEL M. HENDERSON.

He had been a pastor at Pigeon Creek, and likewise at
Wilkinsburg, where he was very successful -in promoting
the cause of Christ, aiding some in the Peunsylvania Fe-
male College, and giving occasional instruction in the
Western Theological Seminary. Much beloved as a mem-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 85

ber of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, he ^vas dismissed with
many expressions of regret, that he might be a Professor
in Biddle University, in North Carolina, and thus become
a blessing to the Freedmen. There was a hope that his
declining health would be benefited by the change of cli-
mate; but that which the writer foresaw occurred, his early-
departure from this world, leaving a youthful and useful
wife, and children to mourn their great loss. He lived to
April 2, 1879, and died, thirty-nine years of age, exempli-
fying the truth of the saying, " He lives long who lives
well."

OF REV. DAVID m'kINXEY, D.D.,

who died May 28, 1879, aged eighty-three, a most inter-
esting memorial has been published by his son. To this
we refer those who wish to be informed as to particulars in
the life of this learned and practical servant of the Lord.
Gifted as he was with more than ordinary talents, he ex-
celled the most of us his fellow-students at college ; and
he employed those talents as a writer and preacher in elu-
cidating many important subjects, in a clear, concise way,
through a long life. He still " brought forth fruit in old
age " ; and at that period of life when any of us pastors
around Pittsburgh would ask his assistance, he would take
out his pencil and mark the time he was needed, without
any unnecessary excuses. His mind kept working, so that
his last hours were spent in the supposed public worship of
God ; or, when conscious, in expressions of gratitude to his
heavenly Father for the past and of hope for the future.
In this state we were permitted to join him in prayer,
thankful for the opportunity of witnessing his victory over
death.

REV. JAMES ALEXANDER, D,D.,

was ordained and installed pastor of Greenville and Salem
churches, by the Presbytery of Erie, in 1828. Subse-

S6 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

quently he was called by the congregation of Hopewell, m
the then Presbytery of Ohio ; and by its committee, con-
sisting of Rev. J. K. Cunningham and the writer, was in-
stalled pastor, the service being performed in a barn. He
remained a few years and became pastor of the St. CI airs-
ville church, and subsequently of the church at Martins-
ville. Thence he removed to what is now West Virginia,.
and spent his last years at Moundsville, where he departed
this life on the 26th of July, 1879, at the age of fourscore
years, having served his generation in the ministry in the
exercise of a sound judgment, with great faithfulness and
perseverance ; and was permitted in the end to realize that,
he was about to enter the " saint's everlasting rest."

REV. JOHN W. SCOTT, D.D.,

in spirit left earth one day before Dr. Alexander. He
had been a pastor, but devoted the most of his life to giving-
instruction in institutions of learning. For a time he was
President of Washington College, and was greatly honored
as a learned, noble-minded servant of the Lord. He did
not refuse to espouse a cause somew^hat unpopular, and
Avhen the General Assembly last met at Cleveland, he w^as
asked to preside at a special temperance meeting. He did
so with the dignity that characterized him ; and though a
few individuals had said, " Let us kill this cause," he put
resolutions which unanimously passed, and afterwards,
being committed into the hands of the late Moderator, Dr.
S. J. Wilson, he so handled them that, to use his own lan-
guage, they " went through the Assembly like a shot,"
somewhat to the consternation of those friends of temper-
ance who promise something and do nothing. Dr. Scott
was induced, in the latter part of his life, to occupy a Pro-
fessorship in Biddle University, to aid the great and good
cause of educating the Freedmen ; but God did not permit
him to remain long ; and after years of affliction and be-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. Sj

reavement, he passed away at the age of seventy-one, to
join those who are " free indeed."

REV. LEWIS W. GREEN, D.D.

Dr. Green was an example of early piety, and was
led to devote himself to God, at the age of fourteen, in
Danville, Ky., near which he was born. There I found
him, in 1833, an interesting Professor in Centre College.
Then I was struck with evidences of a noble generosity and
Christian kindness, on my way to visit Presbyteries in be-
half of the Western Foreign Missionary Society. After-
wards, when he became a Professor in the Western Theo-
logical Seminary in Allegheny, he participated in the pe-
cuniary difficulties of the institution, and did much to con-
tinue and strengthen the influence which it has ever
^yielded for the benefit of the churches and the world. All
its friends that knew him will remember how he aided it
by his personal qualifications for the office and by his at-
tractive oratory. He was ever ready with his lovely fra-
ternal smile to accept the invitations of pastors to preach
in their churches and to aid in " every good w^ork " in this
section of the Church. When there were ministers who
held back, as there are now, from aiding in the temperance
cause, he went forward and made addresses without consid-
ering whether it would affect his popularity among those
who wished a " little," not for their " stomach's sake," but
because they would not give up old indulgences. He
assisted the writer once in July when the farmers were ex-
hausted, and did not keep awake properly in hearing the
second sermon, even under his stirring preaching. " Well,"
said he, " I do not think it amounts to much to preach
twice to the same people, only having a short intermission."
To this I had to assent with regret, for he had gone with
me, when recovering from long sickness, to benefit my
people.

88 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

He was led, in October, 1846, to resign his position as
Professor in the Seminary, much to the regret of its friends ;
but continued his services till February, 1847, when he be-
came pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of Balti-
more. In 1848 he became President of Ham2Dden Sidney
College, in Virginia. He was afterwards elected President
of Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, in
1856, which he accepted. And afterwards he was Presi-
dent of his own institution. Centre College, at Danville,
where he was graduated. Here he became the successor
of my classmate in the Seminary, John C. Young, known
through our churches, and there he remained till May 26,
1863, when, after a severe illness of five days, he departed
to his " everlasting rest," in the fifty-eighth year of his age.

His frequent changes were evidences of his popularity
and useftilness; and some rather languishing institutions
probably felt that wdth his energy and enterprise they
would be revived, and were not disappointed. With one
of the editors of the Banner, he shared the troubles of the
war at Danville, and the duties of instructors in the Col-
lege. I trust his " work and labor of love " is not for-
gotten by his surviving acquaintances in this part of the
Church.

REV. JOHN STOCKTON, D.D.

A few weeks since, I stood over the clay that covers the
mortal remains of this beloved brother, whose youthful
countenance I had remembered for sixty-four years, since
we were at college. How sad to think that the face which
was so often animated by the ardent soul within, when ad-
dressing dying sinners, was mouldering back to dust!
That there the common disciple ol Jesus might see that the
" reverend head must lie as low " as theirs ! I knew him
at Princeton Seminary as a licensed minister. But it is
his exemplary work as a pastor which should be presented.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 89

In February, 1828, I was at his church, when God was vis-
iting it in a special manner in causing his people to be
prevalent in prayer, and others to experience deep convic-
tions. I saw the people's heads bowed under anxiety of
mind, and there was striking evidence that God was
carrying on a gracious work. It was not a protracted
meeting that ended by receiving some persons into the
church hastily, who gave, as many do now, not much
reason to believe that they w^ere converted to God. The
inquirers were instructed, as was the general usage in
those times, as to the reality of regeneration and true re-
pentance, before they w^ere encouraged to be received as
communicants. This recjuired assiduous labor and perse-
verance by the pastor and elders ; and when they received
persons into the church they were of lasting use, for they
had experienced a radical change. In 1831, when I again
visited this congregation, the pastor was still receiving
persons as a part of this ingathering, which lasted four
years and numbered 167. Of them, and others wdio be-
came members, there were youth adapted by grace, as
they were by education, to enter the ministry. Though
not so well accjuainted with Dr. Stockton's work durin,^
the latter part of his pastorate, it was successful for
iifty years at Cross Creek, where dust precious to me
slumbers.

OTHERS.

My neighboring pastor, Kev. John K. Cunniugham, was
a brother of sterling worth, whom I united in marriage to
Miss Matilda Guy, a most exemplary helper.

Dr. George Marshall, of Bethel, was a man whose fervid
eloquence and great usefulness in different cougregations
should be remembered.

Rev. Adam Torrance was one with whom I was intimate

in the house of Rev. Dr. E. P. Swift, and whom I knew
8*

90 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

in Ohio as a faithful, suffering pioneer, and afterwards a
worthy minister of our Synod ; and who, when chaplains
were needed for our regiments, went to the field, hoary-
headed as he was, and was much esteemed by the soldiers.
At the Centennial meeting at Uniontown, he gave out the
twenty-third psalm to be sung at the close, and then re-
turned to Washington and suffered for a few weeks in-
tensely with the disease which closed his life.

Besides others, there was my good brother, Rev. Thomas
Stevenson, pastor, for a time, at Montours, and eventually,
with Christian heroism, he became a chaplain for a negro
regiment in our struggle with the South. There he volun-
tarily continued to suffer for his country and for the good
of the soldiers.

REV. JOHN m'CLUSKEY, D.D.,

was a native of Washington County, Pa., graduated at
Jefferson College in the year 1822, and entered Princeton
Seminary in 1825. He was for many years the beloved
and faithful pastor of the church of West Alexander,
Washington Presbytery, and died in Philadelphia at the
advanced age of eighty-four, on the 31st of March, 1880.
He was tall in person, the senior of most of his fellow-stu-
dents at college, social in his manners, gifted as an extem-
pore speaker, and well adapted as a pastor. He was
principal of a female seminary near Philadelphia for a
long time. He was led, in the latter part of his life, to re-
side at Wooster, Ohio, where his occasional services were
very acceptable, and where he was revered by the students
of the University. It was ordered, in the providence of
God, that he should die at Philadelphia, a member of the
Central Presbytery, much regarded by those who there
knew him as he had been by us, his fellow-students at col-
lege. But that tall form with a kind countenance has re-
turned to dust to await the resurrection of the just to life
everlasting.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 9 1

REV. WILLIAM T. BEATTY, D.D.,

the recently beloved pastor of the Shady Side church,
Pittsburgh, resigned his charge and went to St. Paul, in
hope of being restored to health. But after preaching
there a short time, he sank and died. This dispensation
caused grief to all who knew him, that one so lovely and
so useful should pass away so soon. His sweet smile we
cannot forget.

The rather sudden death of

REV. ALEXANDER H. DONALDSON,

the son of our beloved Dr. Donaldson, caused much grief
to a large circle outside of his own kindred. He had gone
with his wife and little children to be a missionary at Fort
Defiance, in New Mexico, to labor among the Indians and
white men, some of these like the heathen. God had pre-
served them through many dangers on their journey to the
place of destination, and great hope was entertained that
he would be permitted to erect the standard of the cross
successfully, and see many people gather around it in that
distant territory. But God's ways are not ours, and on
the 30th of April, 1880, while yet a young man, he was
taken away, no doubt from the peculiar trials of a mis-
sionary life in our new Territories. His courage and per-
severance were remarkable, and his example of self-denial
for the good of a poor, miserable people, was an example
which will speak, though he is dead. His wife and chil-
dren deserve the grateful regard of Christian friends in this
region of the Church.

OF REV. DR. PLUMER,

who died at Baltimore, much has been written which need
not be repeated. His great industry as a Professor in our
Theological Seminary, and in the commencement of the
Central church of Allegheny City, and other occasional

92 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

services, entitle his memory to a grateful remembrance by
Presbyterians in Western Pennsylvania, Of him I had
some knowledge as a classmate, for a time, at the Princeton
Seminary, which others have not. He cam.e there not with
the venerable appearance of after life. He soon evinced
unusual abilities to acquire and retain and use all desirable
knowledge. He had self-possession and a ready utterance,
which helped to give him superiority. Though he was
learned, he was practical in his writings and preaching, as
was our old Dr. A. Alexander, and like him he had a calm
and devotional exercise of mind in the end, notwithstand-
ing his suffering in the body.

REV. COCHRAN FORBES.

His place of preaching was in the bounds of the Blairs-
ville Presbytery. He had been, previously, a missionary
in the Sandwich Islands, and had, as he stated to my con-
gregation, seen great changes. The members of his church
there had carried materials on their shoulders four miles,
from the mountains, to erect a large house of worship.
They numbered seventeen hundred communicants, and for
evening prayer-meeting one thousand would be present,
some dripping wet, having swum the inlet made by the
ocean, as a short cut to the house of prayer. His elders
had been originally from among the lowest of the race.
The devotion of all was great, and his success so encour-
aging that from year to year he endeavored to stay on one
or the other of the islands, but the health of his wife re-
quired a return to this country. He was a man of great
meekness and devout piety, as I ascertained from his as-
sisting me in the administration of the Lord's Supper.
His last services were those of a chaplain to the Presby-
terian Hospital at Philadelphia, and they were much val-
ued ; but at the advanced age of seventy -five he died on the
5th of November, in Philadelphia, a member of the Cen-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 93

tral Presbytery ; while his son, Rev. Anderson O. Forbes,
continues his missionary labors in the JSandwich Islands.

REV. ALGERNON S. MACMASTER, D.D.,

became pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian church of Pitts-
burgh, in 1838, where he was highly esteemed by the peo-
-ple and by the then Presbytery of Ohio. He was after-
wards the pastor at Westfield for twelve years, and then at
Poland, O., for a still longer period, till the infirmities of
age caused his resignation. There was in him a noble,
sympathetic state of mind, so fully developed that it won
the kind regard of his brethren. He shared in the same
sentiments with his brother. Dr. E. D. jNIacMaster, in the
anti-slavery cause, and yet wisely promoted its progress.
I cannot cause him to be remembered in a short space bet-
ter than by quoting from the " testimonial " of the Presby-
tery of Mahoning, as follows : "■ With a clear head, sound
judgment and logical mind, richly stored with heavenly
wisdom, and a rich Christian experience, fully developed
and rendered beautiful by every Christian grace, he was
eminently qualified to be a leader in the Church. He was
childlike in humility, devout in spirit, tender in counsel,
fearless in the defence and proclamation of the pure gospel
of Christ, and wholly consecrated to the service of his
Master."

There are many others who should be affectionately re-
membered by the Church, and the writer would aid the
recollection if there was in his possession sufficient informa-
tion. Departed brethren, like the brothers, James, David,
and Henry Hervey, James M. Smith, Robert Glenn, Rob-
ert Dil worth, A. B. Quay, Cyrus C. Riggs, and William
Annan, whom he knew to be faithful servants. Rev. A.
O. Patterson, D.D., of West Newton, was a noble minister.
Rev. Prof J. H. Kennedy, devout and learned, and so was
Rev. Prof I. N. McKinney. I knew brother Benjamin C.

94 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENT\^ YEARS.

Critchlow as a " sweet singer " in the Second church, Pitts-
burgh, and for many years a successful pastor at New
Brighton, and for a few at Greenville — lovely as a Chris-
tian, blessed with useful children, and taken suddenly from
the house of one of them to his eternal rest.

I remember forty-two ministers whose kind ministrations
I had in my pulpit, who have passed away. Farewell,
dear brethren, till we meet again I

CHAPTEE XYI.

Ministers Who Died at Philadelphia.

DPw AsHBEL Green was chaplain to Congress during
the Eevolutiouary war, and was once a pastor in
Philadelphia. He was for a time President of
Princeton College, New Jersey ; which position he resigned,
and was elected Moderator of the General Assembly in
in 1824, where I heard him deliver the opening sermon the
next year with a good deal of vigor and oratorical power.
He became the editor of the Christian Advocate, a sound,
conservative monthly magazine, which had great influence
in the Church, though the editor was not so severe in his
condemnation of error as some when the troubles were
brewing which divided the Presbyterian Church. He was
paternal and mild. In person he was rather large, with
full face and swarthy complexion, w^eariug his diminished
hair (not entirely gray) somewhat long. Though I had
often seen him at the Princeton Seminary, I found when in
the Assembly with him in 1834, that he was enfeebled.
He sat thoughtfully and moved his face as though he was
chewing, and yet I believe he escheiced the vile stuff* — to-
bacco.

Dr. James P. Wilson, pastor of the First Presbyterian
church in Philadelphia, where the Aseembly sat for many
years, was learned and refined, and choice in his language.
It is said that when quoting the passage about the " crack-

95

96 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS-

ling of thoi'DS under a pot," he used the term, " a culinary-
vessel. " He was tall, but often so feeble that he sat and
delivered his discourse. His countenance was pale from
the loss of blood by repeated hemorrhages from the lungs,
to arrest which he carried a lancet which he used upon
himself. I have in manuscript as able a condensed system
of theology prepared by him, with most satisfactory expla-
nantions as ever was written. It came down to me through
his personal friend, Dr. Obadiah Jennings. And if there
were authority to do so, it ought to be published.

Dr. Cornelius C. Cuyler was pastor of the Second Pres-
byterian church, Philadelphia. He w^as venerable in his
appearance, with an erect and tall form, and hoary hair,
bland in his manner, evidently having a kind heart toward
men, with supreme love to the Saviour and his cause. He
furnished me with two sermons, which were published in
the Presbyterian Preacher in 1835 ; one on " The Nature
of the Atonement," and the other on the question, " Who
Shall Dwell in Heaven ?" But neither preachers nor
" prophets live forever."

Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely was pastor of the old Pine Street
Third Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, and Stated Clerk
of the General Assembly from 1825 to 1836. He then ap-
peared to enjoy good health, with a pleasing countenance
and black hair, generous in his conduct and sociable. He
was frank in his utterances, and often pointed in his preach-
ing. He became editor of the religious paper called the
Philadelphian, which w^as considered as favoring the party
that was called Xew School. He permitted Universalist
controversialists to have a place in the columns of his
paper, and he answered them, burning up, he said, a bas-
ket of shavings with one coal. In the course of time, he
became much occupied with the new college to be estab-
lished in Missouri, and to be called Marion. Something of

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 97

a colony was to be constituted in behalf of literature and
religion. But disappointment attended the effort, and that
was said to have affected his mind in the latter part of life.
In the former part of it he wrote the book entitled, " A
Contrast between Calvinism and Hopkinsianism," which
awakened an interest for a time.

Rev. William L. McCalla, of Philadelphia, was a nota-
ble minister in his day for courage and readiness in debate.
If Kentucky imparts a brave spirit he had obtained it
there or elsewhere. There he encountered Alexander
Campbell in debate on Baptism, very successfully. He
appeared to have been raised up for some special work in
the line of necessary controversy, and would not have been
afraid to have met the Pope, nor Satan, as did his Lord
and Master.

Dr. Thomas H. Skinner was pastor of the Fifth church,
on Arch street, Philadelphia. He was rather slender in
body, with high forehead, and endued with strong intellect-
ual faculties, eminent for piety, and witnessed times of re-
vival in his church.

Dr. William Neill for some years was pastor in the
Sixth church, Philadelphia. He was rather tall and slen-
der, with hair partially gray, gentle in his manners, be-
loved as a minister by his people, and highly esteemed by
his brethren. He was President of Dickinson College at
one time, and also Secretary of our Board of Education at
another. The place of his nativity was Washington Coun-
ty, Pa., and he had received his early academic education
at Canonsburg.

Rev. James Patterson gathered a large congregation in
the Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, and was eminently a
practical man, going into the high ways and lanes of the
city, and experienced many seasons of numerous ingather-
ings into his church. He sought not to be distinguished
for his learning, but sought to win souls, and spake as " a
dying man to dying men."

98 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Kev. William Ramsey, my fellow-student at PrincetoD,
had been a missionary in India, but his health giving way,,
he became a minister in South wark, Philadelphia, and very
much followed the example of his former pastor. Rev..
James Patterson, and finished his course only a few years
since, after great usefulness.

John M. Dickey, D.D., late of Oxford, Pa., was my class-
mate at Princeton. He succeeded his father in the minis-
try after he left the Seminary, in 1827. His appearance
was youthful and slender in body, but cheerful and ardent
in spirit. After being a pastor for a time, he became
deeply interested in the education of colored youth to-
preach the gospel. He started, in his own congregation,
an institution called Ashmun, in memory of the Governor
of Liberia. This involved him in pecuniary responsibili-
ties, of which he informed me. Friends sustained him ia
his noble Christian work. It grew in public favor. It is-
now the Lincoln University, enjoying remarkable evidence^
of the divine blessing. Of the two hundred and twenty
students being educated there, all are in communion of the
Church but seventeen. Already many have gone forth
as useful ministers. The appearances are that God intends-
it to be a blessing to the whole African race, and to pre-
pare men to labor as missionaries on the dark continent.

Our beloved brother Dickey will receive the gratitude
of future generations for originating such an institution
when sympathy for the Africans in bondage was not great.
This persevering toil has prepared the way for the educa-
tion of those who were liberated by the emancipation pro-
clamation of President Lincoln; to be taught not only
common science, but the way of salvation through Christy
which is now a special part of the object of the University.
God called our brother suddenly to rest while walking on
the street in Philadelphia.

CHAPTER XVII.

Former Professors at Princeton.

BETWEEN the years 1824 and 1827, Drs. Alexander and
Miller and Professor Hodge were (in the Presbyterian
Church) the only public instructors of theological stu-
dents. Dr. Alexander commenced this work in 1812.
Twelve years afterward he was still vigorous in mind. In
body he was rather small, with some grey hairs. As he sat
in the recitation room, reclining his head upon his hand,
small, piercing eyes looked upon the students, ready to ap-
prove their performances; or, when need be, to correct
their mistakes. He appeared rather reserved, and yet in
private was very paternal, exercising his thorough know-
ledge of human nature with great skill.

A peculiarity in him was the clearness of his style in
teaching and preaching. His great learning enabled him
to use the very words — mostly of Saxon origin — by which
his hearers comprehended the truth easily. This example
of his should be imitated by young ministers of our time.
While he adapted language to his subject, as when he
wrote his volume on the Canon of the Sacred Scriptures,
and that on the Evidences of Christianity, his manner of
preaching was more like his admirable book of Christian
Experience — clear, practical and searching. There was
no going outside of the themes of the Bible to find some-
thing new and entertaining. He condemned unprofitable
speculations in the class room, and never practiced them in
the pulpit. In his lectures on pastoral care to the students,
lie recommended special seasons of labor to promote revi-

99

lOO RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

vals, wisely chosen, with the choice of proper persons to
give aid in the preaching, I remember when there was a
revival at Princeton, he went to give instruction to the
young.

Rev. Dr. Miller became a Professor in 1813. While I
cannot say much in my present notice of either of these
distinguished and godly men, yet it should not be forgotten
that Dr. Miller was among the most complete gentlemen
that have honored the cause of Christ. His decorum of
speech and manner was not assumed, but appeared to be
the result of having the spirit of the Saviour. He was
eminently fitted to write his volume for young ministers on
Christian Manners. He could, and did, in his volume
on Church Government, exhibit great learning and ability
as a controversialist, and yet also the spirit of a gentle-
man. His hoary hairs and kind smile were adapted to
command respect ; and yet if at any time he made a mis-
take, he was ready to admit it, with apology to his stu-
dents. In this he has left a pattern, and his whole life was
that of a true Christian minister.

Rev. Professor Charles Hodge occupied the chair of
Oriental and Biblical Literature in 1824, and had a re-
markably youthful appearance, w^ith light hair, and almost
beardless. He walked with his head inclined forward, as
though he was studying, and saluted you with great kind-
ness and love. One thing well worthy of being remem-
bered was his power of weaving in the Scriptures, as was
manifested by his expressions in prayer, as well as by the
tenderness of his remarks in the conference held on Sab-
bath afternoon. During the year 1826 he went to spend
some time in the University at Halle, and John W. Nevin
became assistant teacher in his department.

At this time the godly James W. Alexander was con-
nected with the College as a teacher, and afterwards be-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. lOl

came Professor in the Seminary ; and Joseph Addison
Alexander, his brother, was pursuing the study of various
languages. Dr. Robert Baird, a western man, was at
Princeton, a teacher, but afterwards became the heroic
traveler into various countries, chiefly to promote the
cause of temperance. My relative, Rev. Dr. Carnahan,
also a western man, was the respected President of the Col-
lege. All these, being dead, yet speak. Albert B. Dod
left the Seminary to become Professor in the College. A
most amiable and talented brother, but he did not live
many years. About a year since I stood at the tombs of
all these excellent Professors with sadness, and yet thank-
ful that they were permitted to be such luminaries in this
dark world.

9*

CHAPTER XVIII.

Transient Reminiscences.

Ton. Moses Hampton was a benefactor of his race,
^ both at Somerset, Pa., and Pittsburgh. In these

L places he was a lawyer. In the latter a Judge of

great integrity, after having represented his district in the
Congress of the United States. His benevolent mind led
him to devise the welfare of society at large, to aim to re-
form the vicious and find employment for the idle. He
was a true temperance man, and upon suitable occasions
would publicly give the cause his advocacy with much
power. As an elder in the Church his counsel was sought,
and his general Christian influence highly appreciated.
He was an intense student of the Scriptures, and bore the
solemn aspect of a man influenced by their considerations
and borne up by their promises.

THE HALSEY FAMILY.

The father, Luther Halsey, was only a licensed minister,
preferring not to perform the duties of a public preacher.
On the staff of General Washington, during the Revolu-
tionary war, he was an important aid. His days were pro-
longed for great usefulness in the Church, after training-
four sons for the ministry. In 1830 he spent some time in
Pittsburgh. As he was a tall man, his appearance on the
street upon a small horse made him an object of attention,
especially as he stopped often to make benevolent calls and
to distribute tracts. He was not so grand as when he rode
beside Washington, clothed in military garb, but as much

102

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 03

SO as the great " Captain of salvation " when he rode the
streets of Jerusalem upon a colt. It may be said of him
what Rev. Dr. Riddle says of Paul, " He was not a man of
our times." Simplicity and courage, '• bringing forth fruit
in old age," characterized him to the end of life.

REV. LUTHER HALSEY, D.D.

Rev. Dr. Luther Halsey should have such a notice as
space will not permit me to give. Tall like his father,
bland in his countenance, with intelligence in his eyes, his
words and whole demeanor made him the representative of
a true Christian. I first saw him at Princeton, a Professor
of Natural Science in the College. He was then in com-
parative youth, attractive in appearance and much beloved
by the students. He sometimes occupied the place of
preacher in the chapel with great acceptance. He preached
both to the students of the Seminary and the College in the
same place. Once with his kind eloquence he taught the
unconverted students that if they could not open their
hearts to receive Jesus, they could keep from closing
them. Being dead, he may speak through me the same
thing to others.

On becoming a Professor in the Western Theological
Seminary, in 1830, he soon acquired the esteem of all who
saw or heard him. His deliberate, kind and instructive
manner of speaking profited students and hearers in the
churches. But the time came when those who would not
take an active part in rending the Church were looked
upon by some with suspicion. This led him to resign his
Professorship in an institution in which he felt the deepest
interest. Eventually he showed it by the gift of his libra-
ry, and the Directors called him back as Professor to lec-
ture. His last years were spent partly in retirement and
study in Allegheny City, and partly east of the mountains,
in New Jersey. Being called from Hammondsville to

I04 KilL-Ui.Lt.UllUiNb Ur bH^Vl^iMY y£.AK5>.

NorristowD, to attend the funeral services of his brother's
wife, he sickened unto death, and finished his long course
of study and usefulness on earth, at the advanced age of
eighty -six.

From a knowledge of his habit of recording his thoughts
— having been an inmate of his family for months — I am
persuaded that there is much in manuscript that would
benefit the Church if it were published. His modesty and
humility may have kept him from giving to the world his
writings. But the recollection of his oral communications
will be to his friends like "frankincense and myrrh," which
leaves its perfume when removed.

REV. J. F. HALSEY, D.D.

Eev. Job Foster Halsey, D.D., departed this life re-
cently. His father told me that he had sought the Lord
for his son's salvation in early life, and when yet but two
or three years old, the father attained such assurances of
his being adopted into Christ's family, that he afterwards
had no doubt but that Job would be the subject of divine
grace. I think I am at this period justified in stating this
fact to encourage other parents to make their children early
in life subjects of importunate prayer.

My first knowledge of him was in Princeton Seminary
in 1825. There he evinced that warm-hearted piety that
increased with growing years. He was ordained pastor of
the old Tennent church in 1826, and entered upon his
labors ardently, taking an active part in the resolution
passed by a large assembly of eminent men at Princeton
College, to supply every family in New Jersey with the
Bible. His health failing, he came to Pittsburgh soon
after his brother. He still preached some, and finally be-
came so far restored in his voice as to become the first pas-
tor of the church in what was then called Allegheny town.
Here he did a good work for a few years, when his health

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. IO5

again failed. His ardent soul wasted tiie strength of his
body, and his generosity drained his pocket. Subsequently
he taught and preached in New Jersey, and finally became
the much beloved pastor of the Presbyterian church in
Norristown ; and on his eightieth birthday he gracefully
resigned the charge, and his people grateful for his past
services, made provision for his future support.

He still preached occasionally, and did so on the Sab-
bath before his decease, at Chestnut Hill, whither he had
gone to attend the funeral of his son-in-law. Returning to
Norristown, the cold, which he had for some days, became
alarming, and he died suddenly while his daughter was
preparing him some nourishment. Though learned in
many things, he did not — what is important for young
ministers, and essential for aged and feeble ones — remove
the obstructions in the capillaries and the skin immediately
by external means. He permitted his manly, athletic
frame to yield submission to his noble mind, which was
constantly working for the glory of God.

ROBERT BEER

died in Pittsburgh, a worthy elder of the First Presbyte-
rian church. He was remarkable for honesty and integ-
rity in all his transactions, generous to the poor, and liberal
in all his contributions to aid the cause of Christ. He
alone sustained a missionary in a foreign land, and aided
those at home. He was conscientious in the distribution of
his money, which he had obtained by hard industry and
wise and economical management. That for which the
Church should keep him in special remembrance was the
sacrifice that he made to preserve the sanctity of the Sab-
bath. That he might not be a partaker in that sin he sold
out at a loss his interest in steamboat stock, and declined
to join companies that made part of their gains on the
Sabbath.

I06 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS,

FRANCIS G. BAILEY

was an active elder in the same church with Mr. Beer.
They were workers together in visiting the poor and sick,
as well as discharging the duties incumbent upon them as
overseers of their own flock. Mr. Bailey's countenance in-
dicated his natural kindness, which was sanctified to the
service of God. When I last saw him, in his feebleness,
sitting in Presbytery, looked up, with a smile upon his
face, and evident peace in his heart, and said, "I am just
waiting to be taken home."

WILLIAM DICKSON

became a devoted Christian in the church on Long Island,
below Pittsburgh. In the days of youth his mind had
been well furnished with scriptural knowledge from the
Bible and Catechism and books, before he left Scotland.
Having been brought to consecrate himself anew to God,
when past middle life, he was readily received by the dear
people on that isolated spot as a father, and made an elder.
He watched over them with affectionate care. He was
always consistent and humble, and liberal as far as his
limited means would permit. His carpenter shop was his
closet for prayer ; and the writer feels assured (as his pas-
tor) of having been profited by him. Above eighty years
of age, he cheerfully bade his daughter good-night, but be-
fore morning his spirit had taken its flight to its everlast-
ing home.

JOHN POTTER

lived near the place, in Beaver county, where Bethlehem
church is now, and where there was no place of public
worship. He gathered the wandering children into a barn
and alone taught a Sabbath School. This led to the organ-
izing of a congregation, which has been useful in divers
ways, and especially in sending forth young men to preach
the gospel. Mr. Potter for many years served the Church

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. IO7

as an elder, and was also engaged in the missionary work
of the American Tract Society. Dr. Breed, of Philadel-
phia, has written an interesting memorial of him.

JAMES WILSON,

who had a hat store in Pittsburgh, and was an elder in the
First Presbyterian church, was an early Superintendent of
Sabbath Schools in connection with it. A man of Chris-
tian deportment, he was much beloved. Having lived to
a good old age, he recently passed away to rest.

CHAPTER XIX.

Persons and Events in Other Branches of the
Church.

ntil 1858, the Associate Church was distinct from

the Associate Reformed, afterwards the united body,

V_>/ chose the name of the United Presbyterian Church.

Before closing the Recollections, the writer asks his read-
ers to thankfully remember a few persons and events of
which he had a personal knowledge.

Abraham Anderson was a Professor of Languages in
Jefferson College, in 1820, of great merit; and afterwards
an able minister in the Associate Church, then often called
Seceders.

Rev. James Ramsey, D.D., was pastor near Cannons-
burgh, Pa., and afterwards recorded as Professor in the
College. He, also became instructor in the associate Divin-
ity Hall. Being a boarder in his house in 1822, an oppor-
tunity was given to know him and his excellent wife and
daughter, now Mrs. McElwee, of Frankfort Springs. His
only son, James, became a minister, but was removed by
death. The father was a plain, kind man, well informed
in theology ; beloved by his people, respected by all ; and
though he had formed the habit of feeling his beard while
preaching, still, that did not hinder the flow of sound
thought.

At his house some acquaintance was formed with Dr.
Anderson, the first associate teacher of Divinity, who may
have been learned in their peculiarities ; but a subsequent
perusal of his book, called "Alexander and Rufus," was

108

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. IO9

not a satisfactory scriptural nor historical answer to Dr. J.
M. Mason's " Plea for Sacramental Communion on Catho-
lic Principles."

James Kodgers, D.D., is remembered with great gratifi-
cation. He was, about 1835, minister of the congregations
of Koblestown and Scottsville, and afterwards he became a
pastor of an Associate church in Allegheny City. He was
a man of great strength of mind and integrity, ready for
every good work of humanity and Christianity. When
the battle against liquor as a drink had to be fought, gird-
ed with might, he fought it whenever invited. In my
church, and with me in other places, we made him the
" chief speaker." It cost ministers something in those days
to advocate the cause of total abstinence, and yet he did
not flinch from the use of his tongue nor his pen. After
being invited to address a large congregation against the
inroads of infidelity, at Clinton, Pa., I requested him to
come and speak in the church there, which he did with
great power.

Our joint labor and acquaintance increased my desire
that he should espouse the views of Christian communion
taught in the twenty-sixth chapter of the Westminster Con-
fession, and took occasion to lend him the eight able essays
on " Christian Union," founded on Phil. iii. 15, 16, and
written by Dr. Chalmers, Dr. Balmer of the United Seces-
sion Church, and Dr. King of the United Secession Church,
Glasgow, and one by Dr. Symington, Professor of Divinity
in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and by four other
eminent ministers in Great Britain. He returned the vol-
ume without commentary. No one has ever showed that
the way of duty in regard to communion, as taught there-
in, is unwise or unscriptural.

The good Dr. Rodgers became afflicted with a throat
disease, which prevented his speaking in public, and ended

I lO RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. •

his labors on earth for the spmtual employments of
heaven.

Kev. James Rankin, a former Associate minister, died a
United Presbyterian minister at Robison church, in Wash-
ington county, Pa., where he was pastor until shortly after
our civil war. He went for a time in the service of the
Christian Commission as a voluntary chaplain ; for he
sought the salvation of the soldiers, and labored beyond
the strength of his rather infirm body. He returned to his
pastoral work with great diligence, but contracted a pul-
monary affection, which slowly bore him to the grave. I
frequently saw him, and being (while at the Valley) my
neighboring minister, I aided him, especially in his weak-
ness.

Now, what shall I say of his Christian character ? If
any of my readers have formed a picture of what a minis-
ter could be in this life, let all such excellencies be looked
upon as descriptive of him. My description of him is
found in Psalm xxxvii. 37 : " Mark the perfect man, be-
hold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." With-
out wealth, he left his lovely wife and three children in the
care of the Saviour. He told me if he lived he wished to
have open sacramental communion with all the "household
of faith."

Rev. T. B. Hanna was a youthful pastor of the Associate
Church, who died at Clinton, lea^ang a father in the min-
istry, who had with the whole family great reason to mourn
for one so promising as a minister. Perhaps not more than
others for oratory ; but he manifested much of the S23irit of
Jesus, and was ready in oj^position to the spu'it of the
world to build up the Redeemer's kingdom. On the day
on which he went to rest, he had consented to preach in
my church against the great evil of liquor. God j^ermitted
a ty]3hoid fever to be the cause of his removal, to the great

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 1 I

grief of the people. Loving him as a junior servant of the
Lord, I felt that bright prospects were darkened.

Rev. Dr. Bruce, of the Associate Church, was a pastor
in Pittsburgh, and President of the Western University, of
mental ability and of genial temperament, and with Rev.
Dr. John Black, of the Reformed Church, was associated in
the instruction of the youth in the University. Both were
honored for their learning and integrity, and left sons to
occupy useful spheres in public life.

Rev. Dr. Wilson, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church
(sometimes called Covenanter) was the instructor in The-
ology to the students of Divinity. He was an open-hearted,
practical man, that honestly served his generation and was
willing to go to the country and lecture on behalf of the
temperance Reformation. He was practical in his preach-
ing, as well as historical. I remember once in my pulpit
he detailed something of his personal experience, and main-
tained the duty of ministers so to do, for the good of their
people and for their encouragement.

Rev. M. Gibson, of the same branch, was aiming to de-
fend the truth chiefly in his public services. He had a
jocose boy as his son whom the grace of God turned to be-
come one of our most stable Presbyterian ministers, and
died recently in the Huntingdon Presb}i:ery, — William
Gibson, D.D.

ASSOCIATE PwEfor:med ministers.

My readers will be gratified to recollect a few with
whose acquaintance I was favored.

Rev. John Graham was a minister at Washington, Pa.,
and Professor in the College. He was pleasant as a man,
sociable as a Christian, substantial in his attainments, and
instructive as a preacher. He had not the gift of continu-
ance to suit all his hearers. An old gentleman from the
countrv became dissatisfied. Thomas McK. T. McKennan,

112 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

the lawyer, whose courteous wit all tolerated, met this
hearer of Mr. Graham, and said, " You do not like your
preacher, because he gets done preaching before you do
sleeping, and you have to awake." It was true.

Rev. Joseph Kerr, D.D., pastor at St. Clair church, and
then in the city of Pittsburgh, favored me with visits to my
editorial office. He was dignified in person, courteous in
manner, an able preacher, and sociable with Christians of
other denominations. He left behind him worthy sons to
fill his place in the ministry. Joseph, a promising preach-
er, did not live many years. Like his father, he left an
excellent name and character that ought to be remem-
bered.

Rev. John T. Pressley, D.D., began to gather a church
in what was then called Alleghenytown, before there was a
house erected for worship. His industry, and the numer-
ous immigration of persons into this country accustomed to
the use of the same version of Psalms in praise, led to a
rapid growth of his congregation. He was instructive in
his preaching, without much originality, and persuasive
in his intercourse with the people. He early espoused
the temperance reformation, and assiduously spoke and
taught and published in its behalf I was indebted to
him for a sermon for the pages of the Presbyterian
Preacher, on the subject of " Offences," in which he very
satisfactorily presented that subject in application to total
abstinence from intoxicants.

It would have been gratifying to Presbyterians if he
had continued in the same sentiments as expressed in
his letter to J. M. Mason, D.D., (his former preceptor in
divinity), before he left South Carolina, on Christian com-
munion and other church usages. (See Dr. Mason's Life.)
Dr. Pressley, having adopted the unwarranted view
that the term, "communion of saints," as found in the

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I I 3

twenty-sixth chapter of the Westminster Confession does
not include church communion ; the plan of close com-
munion was advocated as not authorized by the phrase in
the second section. It teaches, which communion "is to be
extended unto all those who in every place call upon the
name of the Lord Jesus." To this he added in the discus-
sion of the subject, quotations from the Scriptures which
did not prove his point as others had done. He continued
to teach his exclusive principles, which some brethren of
enlarged minds among our United Presbyterians, saw, were
inexpedient and without scriptural foundation.

OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL CHANGES

during the seventy years were noticeable; but I can only
record a few more. It should be known that there is more
intercourse among Christians of different denominations,
more meetings together for religious work, and greater in-
crease of sacramental communion. To this may be attrib-
uted the fact that conventions against the great common
enemy — liquor — have done much to prepare the way. It
may be as the aged Dr. Wilson, the Covenanter, taught at
a meeting on the subject, in Allegheny City, that the
Church will not be brought properly together until there
are other persecutions. We hope it will be chiefly by the
baptism of the Holy Spirit that there will be union.
During these many years much good has been accom-
plished under the providence of God. Evil has been per-
mitted and committed against light. False systems have
rather increased in number ; but not in proportion to
evangelical religion in principle and by profession. Direct
divine influence is needed to supply the deficiencies in the
teachings in some forms of Christianity, and to perfect all.

RECOLLECTIONS OF CAMPBELLISM.

Early in this century, Thomas Campbell emigrated to

10*

114 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

this country with his son Alexander. Though favored in
temporal things, they could not get an ecclesiastical stand-
ing in the Associate branch of the Presbyterian Church.
The sou was authorized by the father to officiate in the
ministry. He was a young man of talents and aspired for
honor. He early taught that immersion of adults was the
only scriptural mode of Christian baptism. Not, however,
agreeing with the regular Baptists in all things, he sepa-
rated from them and started a new form of belief, which
he called the " Ancient Gospel," and that delivering ora-
tions should be the form of preaching. The father, a
hoary- headed man, took no very active part in what they
called the Reformation. Alexander, who was called
Bishop in the third volume of his " Christian Baptist," in
1827, taught, and more fully in the Millennial Harbinger,
and in his volume entitled, " Christianity Restored," the
leading errors, showing the need of divine teaching. He
published thus : " It is one of the monstrous abortions of
a purblind theology, for any human being to be wishing
spiritual aid to be born again." So afterwards in the sixth
volume of the Harbinger, page 356. He said, " So believe
1 that all the influence of God's good spirit now felt in the
way of conviction or consolation in the four qur.rters of the
globe is by the word written, read and heard, which is
called the living oracles." That is, a mental reception of
the word, as we receive any fact, was faith ; and that, with
going under water, made disciples. This was easier than
to rej^eut with a broken heart.

While there have been individuals who have been no
doubt partakers of the saving power of the Spirit, before
or after adhering to the idea that the only true baptism
was that of immersion, still, the system, as such, has ex-
hibited in its teachings and by its fruits, the need of the
power of the Holy Spirit to undeceive the many who have

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I I 5

taken goiug under the water as the same thing as having
washed away their sins, and as being " born again." To
correct such delusions, as well as to sanctify true believers,
the world needs the " Spirit of all truth," wdiich Jesus
promises, and which he is waiting to send upon all flesh,
when desired and prayed for with the wdiole heart. For
want of it, darkness reigns.

APPENDIX.

January 1, 1884.
ItECOLLECTIOWS BY S. C. JENJSTy^GS.

Y parents resided in Burgettstown, "Washington
county, Pa. My mother's name before marriage
__'^J_was Mercy Chidester. I had a sister who was older
than myself, and a brother younger. I was born on the
19th day of February, 1803. My mother, by a pulmonary
affection, was taken from this world when I was between
three and four years old. My chief recollections of her
are few. She was careful to notice that her children closed
their hands during family worship, conducted by my
father. The evening of the day she departed, I remember
being led across the fields, weeping, to my grandfather
Chidester's.

My father was Dr. Ebenezer Jennings, who practiced
medicine extensively, and was chosen a member of the
Legislature to represent Washington county, at Lancaster,
in 1806. While there, he procured at Philadelphia the
vaccine matter that Dr. Jenner of London had discovered

117

I 1 8 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENT\^ YEARS.

to be a preventive of small-pox. On his return home he
tried it on his children and others. Having been elected
a second time to the Legislature, and being benevolent and
persevering, he started under the influenza, having espe-
cially in view the passage of an act of the Assembly to
have all the poor of the State vaccinated gratuitously. In
this he succeeded ; but his efforts and exposure fixed upon
him a consumption of the lungs, in which state he returned.
He was nominated as a candidate to represent his district
in Congress; but he became more and more emaciated, so
that by the following November, 1808, his life on earth
ended, in the 32d year of his age, leaving his children or-
phans. He made arrangements for their temporal welfare,
and committed them to a covenant-keeping God. When
too weak to rise and pray with them, he had his little son
Jacob put behind him on the bed, and the two others to
kneel by his bedside, and with the tears of an affectionate
Christian father, looked up to God in their behalf. On a
stormy day, his mortal remains were laid by my mother
(who died about two years before), in the cemetery at
Cross Creek church, where they had dedicated their chil-
dren to God in baptism, as administered by that servant of
God, the Rev. Thomas Marquis.

During my father's life he had designated the kindred
with whom he wished each of his children to remain after
his decease. I was to be under the care of my grandfather.
Dr. Jacob Jennings, and his wife, my father's step-mother,
for whom he had a great regard, as well as for her sou,
James Carnahan, afterwards President of the College of
New Jersey, and whose name became part of mine. While
he lived he guarded with paternal care his children from
bad influences. When taking me from Washington
county to Dunlap's Creek, we passed the country taverns,
at the door of which there were swearing persons, and he

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I I 9

advised me to put my hands to my ears that I might not
hear. Still, I was afterwards placed, so that I was often
within the hearing of vile persons, in the employment of
my friends, such as should not be allowed to associate with
children.

There were those among my kindred who did what my
departed parents would have done. My grandmother
Chidester in her feebleness could not attend the worship of
God at Cross Creek, and during the absence of the mem-
bers of the family spoke to us, her orphan grandchildren,
and prayed with us.

When the time came for my permanent removal from
my maternal grandfather's some fifty miles, and to leave
my sister and little brother, and kind brothers and sisters
of my mother, it gave my young heart painful anguish.
But it had been my father's arrangement that I should be
with his father, then an aged minister and physician, who
died February, 1813, at the age of sixty-nine. Having
served his country as surgeon in the army of the Revolu-
tion, and as a skillful physician in New Jersey, and in
Western Pennsylvania, and as a minister of the gospel for
more than twenty years, and was the first Moderator of the
Synod of Pittsburgh, in 1802. Besides the removal of my
father by death, he had been called to part with his eldest
son, who died at the age of twenty-two years with con-
sumption, in the exercise of Christian faith. At this time,
also, his daughter Sarah, who had been married to Dr.
Simonson, had left the world as a Christian dies.

OF THE FALLING WORK,

or the great revival in most of the churches in Western
Pennsylvania during the first part of the century, I have
some recollection. Though the more powerful manifesta-
tions of it had passed before I came to my grandfather's to
reside, the eflects of it were seen in the devoted piety of

I 20 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

many men and women who had been subjects of the work.

I have given reasons for the decline of religion, such as

the frequent use of whiskey and the declaration of war

with Great Britain. (See Centennial Volume, page 429.)

MY EDUCATION.

I had only the advantage of the very imperfect common
schools, until in 1817 Rev. William Johnston, who had be-
come pastor of the Dunlap's Creek congregation, com-
menced teaching a class of boys the Latin Grammar. In
January, 1818, 1 went to Washington to enter the prepara-
tory department of the College.

My brother was separated from us by being taken to
Indiana, under the charge of our Uncle Jonathan, the first
representative in Congress of the Territory, and the first
Governor of the State.

My location at Washington was not profitable for study.
My uncle, then pastor of the church at Steubenville, had
me enter the academy taught there, in 1819, by Salmon
Cowles, a pious man, who was studying for the ministry ;
and part of the time the teaching was performed by John
Moore and Donald Mcintosh, who also became useful min-
isters, as well as Mr. Cowles.]

During the autumn of that year, under the preaching of
Rev. Dr. Herron, of Pittsburgh, who was assisting my
uncle at a communion, my mind became deeply impressed
with conviction, with a sense of the need of salvation. I
had had some transitory impressions in childhood, and oc-
casionally afterwards, but God was pleased to make this
the season of my being led to seek the Saviour. For about
two months attempting to pray in a closet, sometimes seven
times in the day, and being impressed with all religious
services, and sometimes prayed with by my uncle apart
from his family. At one time I was led into the mistake
that if I was to be saved I would be, which lulled anxiety

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 2 I

for a time. But reading one of the sermons of Kev. John
Newton, the pious poet, on Matt. xi. 28-9 : " Take my
yoke upon you and learn of me, &c.," convictions were
renewed and a sense of entire dependence on God was felt,
and in this state of mind I was led to put my entire trust
in Jesus, which was followed by a calm peace, such as I
never had before ; and which, I hope, was the beginning
of new life. With some fear. I was led the following April,
to profess religion in my uncle's church at Steubenville.
I was profited by a conference meeting which my uncle
appointed for the male members of the church, in which
they detailed their religious experience, and made sugges-
tions, along with prayer. And also by the conversation
of a plain, pious student, Robert Rutherford, who after-
wards became a minister.

On the 20th of May, 1820, I became a student in Jeffer-
son College, and a boarder in the family of Rev. William
McMillan, D.D., the President. He was a plain, substan-
tial minister, whom I ordinarily heard, preach in the col-
lege hall. I attended, during the, day at Chartiers to hear
his uncle, the Rev. Dr. John McMillan. His preaching,
in those days had not the variety that it probably once
had. Two leading general subjects made the chief dis-
courses, viz. : searching sermons as to evidence of being
truly Christians ; and second, alarming discourses to the
impenitent, especially in the application of his sermons.
The spirituality and extent of the law and its penalty,
which he had found so adapted to make the careless feel
their need of a Saviour, he still employed. Sometimes it
appeared rather untimely, with a great sameness in public
prayers. His days of close observation had then gone past.
But still, to congregations who had not often heard him,
his preaching was attended with great power. He took a
different view of duty from what is often taken now. He

122 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

sought not to please men, but clothed his sermons with ter-
rific language, adapted to awaken sinners to a sense of
their need. During the three years which I sat as a hearer
of Dr. John McMillan, the Lord's Supper was often ad-
ministered in the grove near the house of worship. He
adopted the scriptural method of causing applicants by ex-
amination to " give a reason of the hope" that was in
them, and only desired to add to the Church such as should
be saved. The Church generally had a greater number of
those who gave evidence of regeneration ; but the means of
information, as to the state of the world, were not so great,,
nor the opportunity for carrying on evangelistic work, was
not so frequent.

The attention of students was not often turned to the
heathen, and of the excellent fellow students of my class at
College, only Wells Bushnell for a time went as a mission-
ary to the Indians. Another, who was graduated just be-
fore me. Dr. Williamson, became a physician and minister
to the Sioux tribe of Indians, and was permitted to spend a
long life among them with great success in their evangeli-
zation, and to be succeeded by his family in the same work
of usefulness. Under the direction of the American Board
for a time, he was remarkably blessed in his work, and
will be in " everlasting remembrance."

On graduating in the spring of 1823, it was painful to
leave the President of the College, Dr. M. Brown, Prof
Miller and Prof Smith, and part with my classmates.

I went to visit my sister at Cleveland, Ohio, then a vil-
lage of about 800 inhabitants. Shortly after arriving,,
there was an opening as the teacher of an academy. I ac-
cepted the offer. A young lady taught the small scholars
in one department of an unfinished building, and I all the
balance of the youth in the town, which included a few
pupils studying Latin and a variety of English branches.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 123

In the spring of 1823, there was no stated preacher. The
Presbytery sent some supplies — excellent men — Caleb Pit-
kin, John Seward, William Hanford, Dr. Giles H. Cowles,
and Joseph Treat. The latter a man of great simplicity of
Christian character, and yet of adaptedness to undeceive.
The only place for any public assembly to meet for wor-
ship was the school room in which the young lady taught.
The whole building was not finished, and as yet there was
neither court-house nor church. When a public meeting
of the citizens was called to decide whether they would
invite the College (which had been located at Burton) to
change its place to Cleveland, it met in one of the school
apartments. The substantial, sound men of the town, such
as Judge Williamson, lawyer Cowles, and merchant Elisha
Taylor, advocated its location. Some others of an infidel
tendency of mind, opposed it being brought there, because
there was to be a theological class attached to it, and one
speaker said he would rather have the yellow fever there
three months. At one period of the debate, I rather
thought the majority would be against it; but the elo-
quence of merchant Taylor, one of the three male Presbyte-
rians of the town, appeared to carry the votes for its loca-
tion in Cleveland.

The death of three of the excellent female Presbyterian
members occurred, and only ten members were left during
the very sickly year of 1823. At the social meeting held
on the Lord's day, when there was no preaching, there
were but three men, two Baptists and one Presbyterian, to
lead in public prayer. This state of things continued until
Kev. Stephen I. Bradstreet engaged to preach one-half the
time, and the other at Euclid church. He was a minister
of force in his sermons and usefulness in establishing the
people in the way of duty, though as yet there was no or-
ganized church. He afterwards became editor of the

I 24 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Ohio Observer, and in a few years passed away, leaving a
small family. My former pupil, Samuel Williamson, Esq.,
conveyed me to his grave in the city of Cleveland, in 1875,
where I felt sad in recollecting his early departure, and
that there was no more special memorial erected at his
grave.

With the opening spring of 1824, I was attacked with a
lingering fever, which caused a cessation of my teaching,
and was followed by fever and ague. Before leaving my
sister and her husband, we were visited by my only brother,
who had been in Indiana with our uncle, and whom I had
not seen for nine years. He arrived in the night, and on
waking up in the morning, I found by my side one w^hom I
had last seen as a boy, now a young man. We soon passed
on, visiting our relatives in Ohio, to Washington, Pa.,
where he was about to enter college. I spent the summer
recruiting my health and making arrangements to go to
Princeton as a student of theology.

A part of the time I spent with my cousin Lucinda and
her husband. Dr. David Porter, from whom I derived
much practical knowledge in the treatment of the sick,
and which helped to prepare me for some usefulness in that
way after I became a minister. I had acquired a farther
knowledge of mankind while residing in Cleveland. And
God, in his good Providence, had disciplined me by afflic-
tion of body, and my desire to be useful had increased. So
that when Dr. Carnahan came on in the autumn to visit
his mother, I returned with him to Princeton, to the Sem-
inary.

Some sensations of liver disorder had rather increased,
so that when the session of study closed, I was induced to
go through the city of New York to the springs at Sara-
toga to spend a few weeks. I boarded in the Christian
family of Mr. Taylor, where the Bible was more studied

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 25

than in any house I have ever been in, for practical pur-
poses, to the general advantage of the inmates. Eev.
George C. Beckwith also boarded there, a promising young
man, who was afterwards for many years, the Secretary of
the American Peace Society.

"Without having found any special advantage from the
springs, I returned at the commencement of the summer
session at Princeton. There I had the sympathy of many
kind brethren, some of whom I had studied with at Col-
lege. And there I enjoyed the fellowship of Robert Baird,
who was principal instructor of the academy, and of whom
I had had some knowledge in boyhood, as the son of one
of the elders in my grandfather's congregation at Dunlap's
Creek. He did not then know that he was to be called to
cross the ocean often, and "stand before kings," to advo-
cate in Europe the cause of temperance, and other good
objects, till a late period in life.

KETUPvN TO THE WEST.

There being no great change in my health during the
summer of 1825, I concluded at the end of the summer
session, to return with my friend, AVells Bushnell, by the
way of Baltimore, and call and see my uncle, Samuel K.
Jennings, a Methodist Protestant minister, and Professor
in the AVashington Medical College. He was full of busi-
ness, and not a man of many words, and, seeing my affec-
tion of the liver was chronic, he advised heat and friction,
and s:iid in a short way, " Keep on your horse ! keep on
your horse !" But I had two years of my course to go
through at Princeton. Still I went back to Washington
Pa. After the space of two months, my uncle Obadiah ad-
vised me to return again to Princeton, which I did by way
of Pittsburgh. There I joined Kev. J. C. Crane, Avho died
in a few daj^s. So strange was the dispensation of God's

11*

126 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

providence that a minister so promising and so much be-
loved should be called to finish his course so suddenly ! I
was younger and feebler than he, but by special care in
keeping my feet warm, which he did not do, I was con-
tinued and he removed. Thus we can see the connection
between the means and the end ; but when God's time ap-
portioned to man has come, mistakes are permitted to ac-
complish his holy will. Through Mr. Crane's ingenuity
we were freed from the profanity to which passengers were
in those days subject. In his mild, dignified way, he
would say to the drivers of the stages, if there was any
swearing necessary he was to do that, and the driver was
to manage the horses. To this bargain they would consent,
and it usually secured the avoidance of the name of God
in vain, whereas, if he had rebuked the sin when com-
mitted, the depravity of the driver would have given it a
repetition.

ABOUT JANUARY, 1826,

I again joined my former class in the Theological Semin-
ary, and was received very kindly by the Professors and
my fellow students, who had sympathized with me in my
previous weakness. Though I had lost something by ab-
sence, I was enabled to keep my place and to enter upon
trials for licensure by the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
During the next spring vacation, I was at the meeting of
the General Assembly at Philadelphia, when my uncle, for
the people about Pittsburgh, advocated Allegheny City as
the location for the Western Seminary, and Dr. Blythe
and Dr. Hoge for some other place farther West.

During the autumnal vacation, I was occupied very
much in preparing my trial pieces to be presented to Pres-
bytery. When the month of February, 1827, came around,
I was licensed in the oratory, in company with Rev. Dan-
iel Deruelle, who soon settled, and was afterwards em-

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 27

ployed in different agencies of the Cliurch. And when
thus occupied in traveling in the South, he died suddenly.
He was found in his vehicle, drawn by his horse off the
road.

My first invitation to preach after licensure, was in the
Pines of New Jersey, a place destitute of churches, but
having a large school-house, in which Mr. McDermot
taught a Sabbath-school, a godly man, who after^vards be-
came a Presbyterian minister and settled in Ohio.

My next invitation to preach was at Bound Brook, N.
J., in the absence of the pastor. I did not know that I
was where my great-grandfather, Jacob Jennings, had been
a ruling elder in great repute, especially as a "peace-
maker." But since I have seen his grave, partly under
the addition made to the house of worship. He and my
grandfather, his son, had passed through times of great
trial during the revolutionary war against Great Britain.

VISIT TO NEW YORK AND BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Hearing of the work of grace in parts of New York, and
especially in Berkshire county, Mass., I determined that on
the recurrence of spring, as my last vacation, to go and
hear and observe what the Lord had done, as a practical
preparation for entering my ministry as a preacher of the
gospel. The following is what I saw and did during this
tour for a few weeks :

On my way I called at several places where divine
power had been displayed in the State of New York, and
conversed with ministers of experience. At Kinderhook,
I was requested to stop some time and preach. I did so
and was much interested in the people, whom I left never
to see again, having conversed with many that were
anxious, and with some in the town who were gain-
sayers.

I 28 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

THE DAY OF THE COXVENTION

at Great Barrington was one of profit, in hearing the min-
isters who had received much of their wisdom, in winning
souls, from Dr. A. Nettleton, and who then had met to
speak of what God had done in bringing to repentance,
within the bounds of the Association, about 3,000 persons
during the last few months. Their mode was to " pro-
pound " candidates for membership about three months.
This kept them from hasty admissions, and adding to their
number unconverted persons, who afterwards dishonor the
cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Before leaving Princeton, I visited the home of two
aged people, Mr. and Mrs. Fort, five miles distant at Stony-
Hill, where I often went to speak to assemblies on the Sab-
bath. While there, at one time, I saw a black man lying
with his limbs extended in the air. He said it was to cool
them. He had, when a child, been brought from Africa
by slavers, who shot his father when upon a tree throwing
down nuts to the children. Though the slave ship, which
had a cargo of young slaves, was chased, it succeeded in
bringing them into Trenton before slavery was abolished,
and in selling them, he fell into the hands of a very cruel
master, who beat him severely and allowed his feet to be
frost-bitten. A Quaker took compassion on him and pur-
chased him and set him free. And now, notwithstanding
all he had sufl^ered, for so.long a time, in divers ways, he
was thankful he was brought to this country, for thereby
he got to know a precious Saviour.

On my return to Princeton, I boarded at a farm house
with two of my special friends, William S. Plumer and
William P. Aldrich, each of whom became eventually a
Professor in western institutions. The one a Professor in the
Western Theological Seminary, and the other. Dr. Al-
drich, for many years in Washington College, and pastor

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 29

of a country congregation. Both, at this writing, January,
10, 1884, have gone to their reward, with all my class-
mates, numbering 33, except two, as far as I know, viz.,
Wm. P. Cochran and Peter Hassinger. In the room in
the Seminary, opposite the one I occupied, was the study
of Peter J. Gulick, an active Christian, who was spared a
long life on one of the Sandwich Islands, and to see his
sons take his place as missionaries, and a daughter as a
missionary to Japan, with whom he passed some time,
when God took him, having given him to see the fruit
of his labors on earth.

One of my classmates, George B. Whiting, a lovely,
holy man, went as a missionary, first to Jerusalem, and
afterwards was permitted to live a few years at Beyrout,
in Syria. He did not live long.

The close of the session soon came around when class-
mates must part and leave their beloved Professors, and
go to preach the gospel. Rev. William Sickles, my
room-mate, accompanied me through Baltimore to Wash-
ington City. I preached in Alexandria during the Sab-
bath. After that, I left him in Virginia, while I went
on to the old residence of my grandfather in Fayette
county, Pa.

After going to Washington, I joined my brother, who
bad just graduated there with honor, and accompanied
him into Ohio, to Mansfield, where my agency for the
American Bible Society was to begin. After he spent
some time with our sister, he went to Indiana to commence
the study of law, not yet having felt the constraining love
of the Lord Jesus to devote himself to the sacred ministry.

MY WORK.

My work began by preaching in each township in the
several counties, and forming a society for the circulation
of the Bible. A committee was to visit each family.

130 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Where, persons wished to purchase they had the opportu-
nity. When they were unable to do so, a copy of the sa-
cred yolume was giyen them by an expenditure of the
money raised by each society. Then delegates were sent
up to the county seat, and through them there was a cen-
tral organization for permanent work, by a connection with
the parent society at New York. To accomplish this ar-
rangement I preached and explained to the people in each
township, and was seryant of all denominations, as is the
American Bible Societ5^ And in reaching the German
population, I had sometimes to get the aid of their minis-
ters as interpreters. The whole business was arduous, as I
usually formed a society each week day, and mostly tray-
eled a yery muddy road in the beginning of the winter,
from one township to another, in a new country, where,
during that rainy season, the streams were difficult to cross.
But God gaye me strength to liye by eating my food
chiefly before day and after night. And I had the satis-
faction of seeing the people interested, and as I passed their
houses of leaying a tract at their doors, to teach them the
w^ay of salyation. Many as yet had no opportunity to hear
the gospel. I haye eyer found tracts in my pastoral work
great helpers in doing good. Always trying to adapt them to
the spiritual condition of those to whom they were giyen.
On finishing the agency for circulating the Bible in Jef-
ferson county, Ohio, at the end of two months, haying
formed thirty-nine societies in all, I determined to wait for
a time ; though I had encouragement from Proyidence
and persons. Judge Christmas, the brother of that loyely
young minister, Joseph S. Christmas, had offered to supply
half the destitute persons in Stark county, many of whom
were Germans. In Wayne county, for want of money, the
people were encouraged by Gen. Bell and Mr. Stibbs to
bring wheat to the mill and haye it conyerted into flour, to
procure Bibles from New York.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 3 I

On leaving Steubenville, about the middle of February,
1828, I stopped at Cross Creek, where the young pastor.
Rev. John Stockton, was witnessing evidence of God's
Spirit moving on the minds of the people, and which was
evinced to me as I preached to them. Many sat bowed in
solemn silence, some weeping, and some staying to be con-
versed with, where, tAventy-six years before (1802), after
the congregation had been dismissed, their fathers or moth-
ers had returned into the house for religious exercises, and
spent chief of the night waiting upon God. This was now
the beginning of the great revival, which lasted several
years, in Western Pennsylvania.

After being a short time there (where I was baptized,
and where are the graves of my parents), I proceeded to
Washington, from whence my uncle. Dr. O. Jennings, ex-
pected soon to remove to Nashville, where he had been
called, and where he thought the climate would, under
Providence, afford him better health.

THE REVIVAL AT WASHINGTON.

But God had some work during the six weeks that
would intervene for him to do. He appointed, first, as a
special service, a Sabbath morning prayer-meeting, at sun-
rise. A few dozen persons attended it and became deeply
moved with anxiety for themselves or others. The evi-
dences of the work of the Spirit became so manifest that
the pastor appointed a meeting of inquiry, to give opportu-
nity for persons to be conversed with. It was attended by
a few, and each Monday evening the number increased,
with more interest in all the congregation in regard to the
" great salvation." When the first of April came, when
my uncle was to remove, about twenty-five persons ex-
pressed a hope of regeneration. As I had taken part with
him during the previous weeks in the public exercises, the
congregation met and requested me to supply them for a

132 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

time. Under the interesting and solemn circumstances in
which they were, I felt it my duty to accept the invitation ;
though I had no idea of remaining there w^hen I w^ent to
visit my uncle's family. The Lord was pleased in answer
to the prayers of his people to continue the work of grace,
gradually reviving the members of the church, and in
bringing into an anxious state some from time to time, so
that the elders with myself had meetings ol inquiry for
eight or nine months. Some of the students of the college
Avere hopefully brought to Christ, with some of the profes-
sional men of the town. The state of things gave me much
ministerial work, visiting the people, attending meetings
for prayer and exhortation, and preaching in the country
in daytime, where often there was evidence of the deepest
seriousness, some sitting and weeping after public service.
Among the eighty persons brought into such a state of
mind as to justify their reception as members of the church
at "Washington, there w^ere several very interesting cases of
deep conviction, the history of which it might be profitable
to relate, but it would require such particularity as might
not be advisable. It was made manifest to members of the
church who were at first in doubt as to its divine origin,
that it was a glorious work of God. The subjects lived
exemplary Christians and died in the faith of the gospel.
Mr. Moody told me that he, during the long period of
conviction, endeavored under exhortation to give himself
"away," and found deliverance. He became a useftil
minister for some years at Ashland, Ohio, but was drowned
in the river at Georgetown. IVIr. McCandless served the
Lord as a minister in Monroe county, Ohio, and passed
away, having been (as he also told me) during the revival
brought to believe in Christ. Kev. Dr. Sloan (he that be-
came the pastor at iVankfort and Pigeon Creek) attended
our inquiry meetings, and others who were students, yet

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 33

alive. George Gordon became a minister and endured
much in the cause of anti-slavery. His sister, a subject of
the revival, became the wife of Rev. Dr. Eagleson, the
worthy pastor of Buffalo church, called from earth to
heaven, leaving sons to fill his place in the ministry.
John K. Wilson at this period became a Christian, and
down to old age w^as a most devoted elder in the church
of Leetsdale, Pa. Sophia Huston was the wife of Rev.
John Carothers, and Elizabeth of Rev. Dr. Benjamin
Mitchell — Christian women, worthy of such godly men.
But time would fail me to sjoeak of other w^omen not
living who then professed to be disciples of Christ.

God was pleased, through prayerful, studied remarks, to
reach the leader of a baud of careless students in the
church, who afterwards came to my room from time to
time, to request prayers. People generally were solemn
and thoughtful, though it was a summer precediug a Pres-
idential electiou.

Pious women joined in prayer, and did so alone, for the
influence of the Spirit. Two of them saw their children
subsequently enter into the public service of the Lord.
Mrs. McGitfen's daughter Julia went as a missionary, and
the wife of the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, to the Indians, which
was then a special, self-denying work. Mrs. Wilson, that
most remarkable Christian woman, saw her sons Thomas
and Samuel become eminent ministers of the gospel. The
former was not spared many years. The latter, recently
deceased, had a great sphere of usefulness in the Theo-
logical Seminary, and has been greatly lamented. Pie
was worthy of all the honor that has been appended to his
name, and the writer has been gratified that his pious
mother made his name that of her devoted son.

SETTLEMENT.

In making historical statements as to pastoral labors,

I 34 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

for fifty years, it is impossible to avoid reference to myself.
Whatever has been done, I hope will be ascribed to the
good Providence of God and the Holy Spirit, for I was
often weak in body and timid in spirit, in early ministe-
rial life. In the summer of 1828, the congregation, now
called Sharon, erected a brick house of w^orship below the
present cemetery.

In February, 1829, I began to preach, on invitation,
every other Lord's day in private houses, in connection
with my services as editor of the Christian Herald, now
succeeded by our worthy Presbyterian Banner.

In April of the same year a call was presented to the
then Presbytery of Ohio, and accepted to become pastor
for one-half the time. On the 24th day of June, 1829, the
Presbytery met in the new church, having a floor, but not
plastered nor pewed. On that bright, shining day, after
the usual preparatory exercises for installation and ordina-
tion, I was set apart to the office of pastor of this congre-
gation, in the presence of a large concourse of plain but
kind peoj)le. The whole exercises were solemn and im-
pressive, so much so that Rev. AYm. Woods was overcome
with devotional feelings, offering the concluding prayer.
There were then eighteen persons in communion with the
church.

During the first two years of the pastorate, with preach-
ing half the time, and some family visitations and some
distribution of tracts (which has been kept for fifty years
with good results), there were added to the little church
sixty-two members on examination. There was what
might be designated a gradual revival of religion ; also,
during the second year (1830), people in the vicinity of
the now Mt. Pisgah church invited the pastor of Sharon
church to preach for them on alternate Sabbaths, which
being done resulted in the erection of worship on Warrior's

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 35

Ridge and the organization of a church and the reception
of seventeen persons as members at the first communion.
During successive periods the membership there increased
to about one hundred.

On the 7th of June, 1831, Miss Emma, the daughter of
PhilijD L. and Zelie Passavant, of Zelienople, Pa., was
united to me in marriage. We have been spared to our
six children, grown to years of maturity, after experiencing
some afflictions, and after having grounds to apprehend
separations, at different times, by disease and death.

During the summer of 1831, my only brother visited us
in Allegheny City, declining in consumption, after having
been graduated with honor at Washington College, and
after having been admitted to practice law in the State of
Indiana. He had had high expectations of wealth and
honor by his profession, but in the meantime had brought
on pulmonary affection, by sitting up too many nights at-
tending upon the sick when an epidemic prevailed.
Though not at this time borne up with Christian hope, the
sovereign grace of God convinced him of sin and of the
need of a new heart, after he came to make his home with
us, during the autumn after our marriage. The prayers
of a father and mother, that were offered when he was a
child, were answered after he had weeks of special convic-
tion. God in his great mercy gave a most remarkable de-
liverance, and caused him to rejoice in the Lord Jesus,
from day to day, and to feel willing to go to any part of
the world to preach the Gospel of Christ. This was not to
be. On the 22d of February, being 27 years of age, he
peacefully fell asleep, desiring to be buried beside his pa-
rents' sleeping dust at Cross Creek.

During the summer of 1832, feeling unable to perform
the duties of a minister to two congregations, and of editor,
the Weekly Herald was relinquished into other hands ; but

136 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

the monthly publication of the Presbyterian Preacher was
continued for five years, and also the editing of two other
small volumes. Both churches gave in all about $300 as
salary, and my own small resources being locked up, and
wishing to promote female education, we opened a Female
Seminary, in 1837, near the city.

Temperanceville (near which I resided), grew in its pop-
ulation, and gave opportunity for evening preaching. As
there was no physician, there appeared a necessity at this
time, that my knowledge of the healing art (that I had
derived chiefly from my medical kindred,) should be ap-
plied to the cure of the sick there and upon Long Island,
and often elsewhere, without charging regularly. About
twenty years I was constrained to yield to the a])plic'atiun
of persons who needed help, having, as my chief compensa-
tion the satisfaction of purchasing the medicine and re-
lieving suffering humanity. Being a cheap doctor, it did
not require boasting to get practice, to my physical injury.
Such injury was received by being thrown from a horse,
before a poor man's door, that it will be, I suppose, as my
friend and physician. Dr. John Dickson, foresaw, that I
shall feel the eflfects all my life. This mode of life aflbrded
an opportunity of doing good to some people, who could
not have been reached by any one being merely a minister.
By continued labors, a separate church was organized at
Temperanceville, and a house of worship was erected in
1842.

By frequent preachings on the Island, a revival occurred
there, which greatly increased the church, and a regular
organization was effected, also a neat house of worship was
erected. The religious services were performed there in
the after part of the day, after being at Mt. Pisgah or
Temperanceville. Sometimes the river was so high, or
running with ice, that the possibility of leaving the horse's

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 37

back for a watery grave bad to be contemplated. Pre-
viously, the Presbytery had assigned to me to preach in
Sewickley valley as missionary ground. It appeared, also,
duty to preach on the headwaters of Big Saw Mill Run,
which prepared the way for the organization of Concord
church, and also on the waters of Chartiers creek, which
did something to lay the foundation for a Presbyterian
church in that vicinity, now called Mansfield.

There were five places on the Ohio river where the
writer had stated preaching at certain seasons, at each of
which there is now an organized Presbyterian church, viz.:
Temperanceville, McKee's Rocks, Long Island, Middle-
town, and Shousetown. Then services were performed
without laying the hearers under any pecuniary obligation,
before their organization. At Temperanceville, long and
strenuous efforts were made by heretical sects, and espe-
cially by Mormons, to introduce their iniquities, and to
some extent at Middletown ; so that it appeared necessary
to expose these systems of delusion, to prevent the ignorant
from being led astray. Dealers in liquor had to be taught
their duty and interest in many places. My labors near
the river were performed for many years, by which I did
not build on any other " man foundation."

Having, in 1846, four organized congregations under my
care, and other preaching places, it became evident that
my pastoral charge was too large. Accordingly, Mt. Pis-
gah and Temperanceville called me to be pastor all the
time, jointly. So, also, Sharon congregation and Long
Island, all the time. It took some time to decide to break
away from flocks which the great Shepherd had enabled
me to gather. But, in 1847, I accepted the calls from
Sharon and the Island.

I had before this, for nineteen years, come to preach at

I 2>^ RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

Sharon every two weeks, through all kinds of weather, and
at other times, as duty demanded. On the first Sabbath
of the new arrangement, I preached on the words of the
Lord Jesus, " I must work the works of him that sent me
while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can
work." The people did work. In that summer they added
to the dimensions of the then brick church. In the fall a
few had to work to keep out Satan, who was likely to
get in, on the score of difference as to where certain
persons should sit in the enlarged house. The preach-
ing of my brother-in-law Passavant was blessed to stir
up a spirit of revival of religion, and all went on har-
moniously.

The Long Island people had preaching every other Sab-
bath afternoon in the summer, in the winter every fifth
Sabbath, the w^hole day. For nine and a half years this
service was performed, riding seven or eight miles. The
number of communicants increased from one to sixty. In-
creasing years and difficulties in crossing the back river,
led me to part with a most devoted people and accept the
eall to the Valley church, in 1857, for the performance of
the same service as at the former place. This new sphere
of labor w'as attended with prosperity, until somewhat in-
terrupted by the attempt of another people to claim the
use of the house.

In my preaching at the Valley, I must record the kind
and profitable aid I occasionally obtained from Rev. Wm.
P. Harvison and Wm. Alexander Jeffery. Both were of
the "excellent of the earth," but being feeble in body, did
not live many years.

At these times the writer was giving some attention to
the sick as a physician, and for many years this and his
duties as pastor led him to ride much in the night.

In the winter of 1867 an increased awakening occurred

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 39

among the persons out of the church and a revival in the
hearts of some Christians. Solemnity and interest was
manifested in all the public services, and the pastor was
led to preach forty times in six weeks, and had some aid
from other brethren in the ministry. Prayer-meetings
were multiplied for the next two years, and the whole
number added to the church in that time was one hundred
and eleven persons.

In the erection of a new church, and in all the improve-
ments requiring time and money, the women of the con-
gregation exhibited a laudable zeal. The congregation
generally, in proportion to their means, have contributed
to the Boards of the Church and other objects of benevo-
lence.

The pastor has not complained in any part of his wide
field of labor during these fifty years, of want of support,
yet felt it necessary, from time to time, to use from his lim-
ited resources, in all about seven or eight thousand dollars,
to supply the ordinary wants of a family. This he pro-
posed to do, rather than ask aid at any time from the
Board of Home Missions.

During the last nine years one hundred and fifteen per-
sons have been added to the church on examination, four-
teen on the last Sabbath, which shows that the Spirit of
God has not forsaken us, though there is much to humble
us for our deficiencies. Though this congregation num-
bered more communicants than ever before, yet, by the
necessary action of Presbytery, about forty of its members
have been organized into a new church, to be called Riv-
erdale.

RESULTS.

There have been baptized at Sharon 769 infants. About
750 have been received as members on examination, and
about 650 in all the others which have been under my

1 40 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

care. 228 times the Lord's Supper has been administered
in Sharon congregation. About 5,200 sermons preached
and as many in my other churches. One each week was
prepared in the study with notes, and the rest on horse-
back or without notes. About 480 funerals have been at-
tended in the congregations. Some of them not of our
denomination. Marriages performed, 321. Countless
visitations of the sick as a pastor, and also many as a
physician.

The ordinary number of Sabbath-schools have been
maintained ; but some of the first scholars have become
grey-headed. There is as large a congregation among the
dead as there is of the living. There were but three per-
sons put into their graves at Sharon when I became pastor.
Not one of those who were communicants, who sat down
with me at the Lord's table at first, now lives in our
bounds. Not a minister who was a member of Presbytery
at my ordination now lives. Not an elder of any of its
congregations lives. Of the minister's who favored us with
preaching here during these fifty years, forty-two have en-
tered into the saints' everlasting rest, and I am left the
oldest pastor of the Presbytery.

At the conclusion of my statements, made by request, at
my dismission from Sharon church, as pastor, on the 24th
of June, 1879, addresses were made by Eev. Samuel Jen-
nings Wilson, D. D., Rev. Dr. Richard Lea, Rev. W. A.
Passavant, D.D., and Hon. Judge Kirkpatrick, which
were so laudatory of myself, and though sincerely given, I
ought not to incorporate with these pages, intended to keep
in remembrance the goodness of God in permitting one so
feeble as I was to live so long and accomplish something
as his instrument in promoting the welfare of mankind.

The congregation gave testimonials of their regard for
me as their pastor, in addition to the gold watch and chain

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. 141

presented by the Presbytery, presented through the hands
ofK. Lea, D.D.

It should be added that brethren from other Presbyteries
and some other denominations were present, numerously,
to show their interest in connection with my resigning the
pastorate.

OTHER FACTS.

I wish to express my thanks for the generous profes-
sional care which Dr. John Dickson, of Sewickley, has
taken of me for many years, and for his advice, when I had
attempted to help the sick, and likewise for his aid in past
years in opposing intemperance.

Of the congregations which were organized by my
agency, Mt. Pisgah has none of its original members, Tem-
perauceville not more than two, and Long Island one.
But God has called other laborers to take the place of the
original members that have gone to rest. I think about
seven or eight hundred of my special acquaintances have
departed this life during my time of being in the ministry.
Some gave in death, as in life, great ground of consolation.
I have reason to believe that nearly 3,000 persons whom I
have known, no more live on earth. A multitude of im-
portant events have occurred that cannot be recited.

The Presbyterian Church became divided, in 1837, into
distinct branches, having but little fellowship. In 1870
they became united, having seen the mistake of disunion,
and are now more strongly in harmony than ever before.

In 1846 the United States waged war with Mexico,
which grew out of the annexation of Texas to the former.
In 1861 the Northern and Western States were constrained
to defend the Union against the rebellious proceedings of
the Southern States, and achieved the object in 1865, at a
great loss of human life. But this suffering brought about
the deliverance of slaves from bondage, and their restora-

142 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTi^ YEARS.

tion to the rights of human beings. The way, too, has
been opened for their education, and the opportunity of
hearing the gospel. Christians have become, during these
past fifty years, more united, and efforts to evangelize the
world have greatly increased. " Praise the Lord !"

After my resignation of the pastoral charge, I acted as
stated supply for nearly two years for the Riverdale con-
gregation, which I organized, by the order of Presbytery,
out of Sharon church.' My health failing, in connection
with the decease of my sister, on the 10th of February,
1881, I was led, in company with my son Sidney, to make
a tour to the East. First, to Princeton Seminary, where
we both received our theological education. There we
witnessed the close of the session, and were entertained by
Rev. Dr. McGill. We visited the graves of the departed
dead who had been Professors, and the Presidents of the
College, among whom was my uncle Carnahan. Then we
spent the Sabbath with our excellent brother, Rev. John
Ewing, D.D., at Clinton, New Jersey. Afterwards he took
us to Readington, where my grandfather, Dr. Jacob Jen-
nings, had practiced medicine, and where the dust of his
wife Mary, the daughter of Rev. Dr. Kennedy, reposes,
having died in 1791. We also went to see the resting-
place of my great-grandfather, Jacob Jennings, at Bound
Brook. He died at the age of 76, 1787. From thence we
passed on into the city of New York, and spent a few days,
chiefly in the house of my cousin, James Jennings Mc-
Combs, and in the company of his lovely family — not
ruined by their wealth, but using it to accomplish good
objects.

The following Sabbath we spent at Basking Ridge, New
Jersey, where the Rev. Dr. Rankin is the beloved pastor
of the Presbyterian church and much respected for his
services.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 43

My great-grandfather's tomb has inscribed upon it —
"Died August 21, A. D., 1787, in the 67th year of his
age." It is recited by Dr. Miller, in the history of Dr.
Rodgers, that he could talk the Latin language as readily
as the English. His wife Sarah died January 1, 1787, in
the 64th year of her age. Her dust reposes beside his at
Basking Ridge, where they both toiled and experienced
trouble during the revolutionary war with Great Britain ;
where he preached with great power, and to which employ-
ment, when necessary, he added his skill in the healing
art. Thus the inscriptions on the tomb stones testify that
my three grandparents all died the same year — 1787 —
leaving a bright record of piety to be remembered by their
posterity.

On our return to Pittsburgh in May, 1881, I had been
so weakened by neuralgia in my absence, and by the re-
maining effects of my severe attack of illness the previous
February, that I did not attempt to preach much during
the summer; but with autumn I did, and ever since have
preached more or less in moderate weather, accepting in-
vitations ; which with my frequent attempts to write for
our religious papers especially in the temperance reforma-
tion, has given me employment up to the present time.
The desire expressed by valued brethren to do this has led
me to suppose, that what I did in that way was not alto-
gether useless.

Of late it has been painful to me that I could not accept
all the invitations to preach, or to see old friends. One of
the last was that of Rev. Dr. Beatty, who, not long before
he died, expressed a desire to see me, and I hoped some time
to go to Steubenville ; but the Lord has taken him from
the place where I saw the Steubenville Presbytery organ-
ized, in 1819, and not one of the then members now lives.

Feeling that I should have done more to benefit dying

144 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

multitudes, during the sixty -seven years that I have been
a member of the Church, or the fifty-seven that I have
been a licensed minister, I am willing to stay and try to
realize and believe and pray and teach more faithfully
than heretofore. Though it cannot now now be long.

CONCLUSION.

For my dear kindred, beloved friends and numerous
acquaintances, I record a few thoughts on this my eighty-
first birthday, 19th of February, 1884.

Recollections of the past are chiefly useful as they
have a bearing on the future. Mistakes in this life will
be found, and their correction in this life will be of some
use here to ourselves and to others in this world. But the
chief use for correction is that they will affect our happi-
ness in immortal life. We are heirs of half of our Fath-
er's existence. He is " from everlasting to everlasting."
We are to live forever. There is no power, if there were
a wish, to get rid of the inheritance. Immortality is
stamped on the soul of man, whether righteous or wick-
ed. See Matt. xxv. 46.

If temporal things are so used that they help us to
attain things that are eternal, they are made a blessing.
If so used as to w^ean the soul from God, then they become
idols and a curse.

Natural life is a gift by the " Father of our spirits," to
be introductory into a " house not made with hands, eter-
nal in the heavens." If it is not passed through in the
right way, it leads down to eternal death. To prevent
this, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the

RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS. I 45

life " (John xiv. 6). Submission to Him — looking to Jesus
continually, is the only way to pass through this world
safely. He has promised " the Spirit of all truth to guide
into all truth " (John xvi. 31) all necessary truth. Kely
upon him as the infallible teacher. You should exercise
your reason in understanding his teachings, but never to
oppose them. As soon may the moon say it will give light
to the sun, as for men to propose to correct the Scriptures.
Believe and obey now. "If any man do his will he
shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God " (John
vii. 17).

Dear ones, by light shining into your minds you shall
see more of yourselves as sinners. You will thus be pre-
pared to appreciate Christ as a Saviour " who hath brought
life and immortality to light through the gospel " (2 Tim.
i. 10). You must be willing to part with every error, with
every idol, with all hope through morality to be saved ;
" for there is none other name under heaven, given among
men, whereby w^e must be saved" (Acts iv. 12). Be will-
ing when young to know^ the worst of your condition, that
one sin unrepented of will bring condemnation — " that he
that believeth not is condemned already " (John iii. 18).
If he or she dies thus they forever go into damnation. May
God immediately bring any one yet out of the ark, into it,
and cause every one to prepare for the awful scene de-
scribed in the second epistle of Peter, third chapter. Live
every day with a heart which believeth unto righteousness,
and you will be useful in the world and hail with joy the
coming of the Lord, first at death, and then at the resur-
rection and general judgment.

Finally, dear ones, now especially addressed, let me ex-
press the fears on scriptural grounds that there are millions
who have come short of eternal life through the same un-
belief and delay that may now characterize some of you.

146 RECOLLECTIONS OF SEVENTY YEARS.

How dreadful to realize a soul forever and forever sor-
rowing in the dark world of misery ; that it had the oppor-
tunity of forgiveness through the atonement of Jesus, and
of being forever with hijn in the world of glory, but came
short, through unbelief, of being a sinner, or that there was
yet time sufficient, and yet in this state died, and the door
of mercy was forever closed ? If this is possible in your
case, may the Holy Spirit lead you to submit to-day to
God, your Saviour, that waits.

INDEX

Page

Alien, Moses .....

12

Alden, Timothy ....

. 12

Anderson, John .....

15

Alexander, James ....

. 85

Alexander, Archibald ....

99

Anderson, Abraham ....

. 108

Anderson, Dr. (Associate Church)

108

Author's Education, &c.

. 120

Arrival of Brother, ....

124

Barr, Thomas ....

11

Barr, Thomas H. . . . .

11

Bracken, Reid ....

12

Boyd, Abraham ....

12

Baird, Thomas D. . . . ,

15

Bushnell, Wells ....

16

Baird, Bobert ....

16

Brown, Matthew .

16,71

Baird, Thomas H. .

21

Brown, Richard ....

22

Books and Tracts, ....

55

First in 1772 ....

55

In German,

57

In French, ....

58

Brown, Alexander B. . . .

73

Beatty, William T

91

Beer, Robert . \ . . .

105

Bailey, Francis G. .

106

Black, John .....

111

Bruce, Dr. .....

111

147

INDEX.

Page.

Bradstreet, Stephen I.

. 123

Berkshire county, visit to

127

Courtney, William

11

Coulter, John

12

Culbertson, James

20

Courts, Supreme

67, 70

Comingo, Henry G.

80

Cook, Isaac M. . . .

82

Carothers, Eobert

82

Cross, Jonathan

82

Cunningham, J. K.

86

Critchlow, Benjamin C.

93

Cuyler, C. C.

96

Churches, Associate and Reformed, .

108

Communion of saints.

112

Changes ecclesiastical

113

Campbellism

113

Chidester's removal from

122

Cleveland, state of things in 1823

122

Crane, J. C

42, 125

Christmas, Judge

130

Concluding address.

144

Diseased and dying,

7

Dod, Cephas,

12

Denny, Harmar

62

Dunlap, Robert

80

Donaldson, Alexander H,

91

Dickey, John M.

98

Dickson, AVilliam

106

Deruelle, Daniel

34

Elliott, David

72

Elders at Washington,

75

Episode,

81

Ely, Ezra Stiles

■ 96

Eaton, Johnston

34

Female influence.

39

In tract circulation, • •

56

Forbes, Cochran

91

Falling work.

119

Graham, James

4

Grier, Judge

62

148

INDEX.

Green, Lewis W.

Green, Ashbel

Gibson, William

Graham, John

Hoge, Thomas

Herron, Francis .

Hassinger, Peter

Halsey, Dr. Luther

Hoge, James

Hanna, Archibald

Hallock, Judge

Hoge, David

Henry, Thomas

Howard, William D.

Henderson, Samuel M.

Hodge, Charles

Hampton, Moses

Halsey, Luther, Sr.

Halsey, Job F.

Hanna T. B.

Indians, efforts among

Irreverence in worship,

Insubordination,

Interesting incident,

Inquiry meetings,

Jennings, Jacob

Jennings, Obadiah

Johnston, Robert

Johnston, William

Johnson, R. M., favors Sabbath mails

Jacobus, M. W.

Jenner, Dr.

Jennings, Ebenezer

Kerr, Joseph

Kirkpatrick, Judge .

Law, Michael

Little, Jacob

Liquor, excuses for

Licensing in the 18th century.

Licensing in the 19th century.

Local option,

149

INDEX.

License against common law

Lincoln University,

Lea, Richard

Marquis, Thomas

Munson, John " •

McMillan, John

Macurdy, Elisha

Ministers of low stature.

Morrow, James B.

Missions, Choctaw Indians,
Other Indians,
In Africa, India, and Chin
In Siam and Japan,

Martyred missionaries,

Maclean, David

Mistakes, six great

McKennan, James W.

Miller, Samuel, his experience,

McKinney, David

Marshall, George

McCluskey, John

Macmaster, A. S.

McCalla, William L.

Miller, Samuel, D.D.

McKennan, Thos. McL. .

Mason, J. M.

McMillan, W.

Nesbit, William

Neill, William .

Ohio Synod, history of

Patterson, Robert

Potter, Lyman

Patterson, Joseph

Preaching of the fathers,

Papers, religious, up to '33,

Porter, Charles

Parliament restricted license,

Penn, William, against liquor,

Patriots against ardent spirits,

Plumer, William S. .

Patterson, James

150

INDEX.

Potter, John .
Pressley, J. T. .

Pines, preached first in
Passavant, W. A.
Ralston, Samuel
Revivals from 1821 to 1828,
" 1824 to 1832,
Reynolds, John
Rush, Dr. Benjamin .
Reed, Robert R.
Ramsey, William
Ramsey, Dr. James
Rodgers, James
Rankin, James
Reformed, Associate
Revival at Cross Creek, •
" " Washington,
Its subjects,
Slaves driven,
Synod of Pittsburgh,
Seward, John
Speer, William
Stockton, Joseph
Swift, Elisha P.
Scott, George M.
Synod of 1829, members present
Scott, James

Synod of Ohio of 1830, the remnant,
Snowden, John M.
Sumptuary law^
Smith, AVilliam
Scott, John W.
Skinner, Thomas H. •
Saratoga Springs,

Seminary, West. Theo., advocated by O.
Stockton, John

Toil, early ....
Tait, Samuel
Treat, Joseph
Torrance, Adam .
Tombs of Professors,

151

Jen

niDffs

Pagk.

106

112

127

138, 140

15

36

37

62

66

74

96

108

109

110

111

131

131

131

7

10

10

12

12

15,79

14

15,16

19

21

62

70

84

86

97

124

126

88

6

10,15

11

90

101

INDEX.

Page.

War of 1812, . . .

5

Wylie, William

10

Woods, William

15

Wright, John

19

AVine in the Lord's Supper,

20

Worship, irreverence for

60

AVilliams , Aaron

80

Wilson, James P. .

95

Wilson, James ....

107

Wilson, J. R (Covenanter) .

111

Williamson, Dr. (missionary)

122

Whiting, George B. (missionary)

129

Work for Bible Society, .

129

Wilson, S.J.

. 133, 140

Women, Pious

133

152

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

This book is due on the date indicated below, or at the
expiration of a definite period after the date of borrowing, as
provided by the library rules or by special arrangement with
the Librarian in charge.

DATE BORROWED

DATE DUE

DATE BORROWED

DATE DUE

C28 (747/ M100

938*21

iiHi

0035520124

938.21 J447

JenrAnrs

'o

llc-ctions of useful versons

.:int events*

l6£Plfe[v,B ^. /c^...^^ ^liTl

BRITTLE DO NOI
PHOTOCOPY/

i%g^^giijf^^i^g