American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-07-03

We eeo thom III thc ftbes dppuiut cui thS
covenants made the deliverance wrought
in behalf of his people against their ene>
mies-in the tabernacle, the Mama
which fell day after day for forty years
in the destruction Of the Canaanites, in
the victories of Moses, and Joshua, and
David and others in the building of the
temple and its destruction, and rebuild
ing, &c; in the coming of Christ, his
life, his crucifxion. Gods hand has
been shown toward the christian church.
Unlearned men were chosen as Christs
first followers, but they we're especially
endowed and prepared under his personal
instruction for the work to which they
were called Three thousand, under
their preaching, were converted in day.
And as the converts were prosecuted,
they fed and carried their doctrines
everywhere. The gospel thus spread
like wildfre. Gibbon himself acknowl.
edges the hand of God in the spread of the
church. In spite of the ten bitter perse-
cutions, the cause Of Christ prevailed in
the Roman Empire. God has in every
age watched over the christian church,
and there Is more true religion in the
world now than ever before. Gods hand
has been in the establishing of the gospel.
Presbyterianism in the region West of
the Allegheny mountains, In 1760,
Rev. Mr.. M'Dowell was sent by the Synod
of Philadelphia to Western Pennsylva>
MIA to preach. 1t is not certain that he
came. But six years after, Beatty and
Duffield did come
The DR.. here gave some account of the
want of Improvements in those days, and
contrasted those times with these, espe>
cially as regards the church, enumerating
the number of Synods, Presbyteries,
Churches, and church members in this
region. He spoke of some of the pioneer
Presbyterian ministers West of the A lle-
ghenies, as the Smiths, Drs McWillia m
and Anderson, Joseph Patterson, &c.
He referred to them as men eminently
fitted for pioneer work, Cody, devoted
men, full of faith-men whom God in
his providence raised up for the sphere
in which they were to labor. He spoke
of Gods special provldential care of these
men. Aud now, in this region where
they planted the gospel, as much mis-
sionary zeal, and as sound doctrines pre-
vail as in any other part of the church
In this portion of the church God has, at
different times, granted great revivals of
religion. These have checked infdelity
and promoted the cause of Christ. The
,rnl,afsAna nf ,,nhoItavnN, 4k,E
church would die out, have not been
fulfilled. An infdel book seller in Phil,
adelphia, once said to DR.. Green, that a
century hence, the Bible would be neither
read nor published, to whom the DR.. re-
piled, that the Bible would be published
and read for ages after he had been frying
in hell if he did not repent. God will
not suffer his cause to be defeated We
ought to remember him as covenant
keeping God, and be more prayerful and
Jealous in our labors for his church.
The sermon being ended, the congre
CATION was led in prayer by Rev. w. D..
Patton, of Harrisville The 18th Psalm,
1st part, was sung " Let children hear
the mighy deeds, Which God performed
of old" The benediction was pronounced
by DR.. Walker.
A sketch of churches and of deceased
ministers in this Presbytery was read by
the historian of Presbytery, DIR. Young.
This sketch had been prepared for the
convention of Synods, which met at Pitts
burgh last winter, but was not read there.
After the reading of this sketch, remarks
were made by different members of the
convention as to dates, &c.
The oath Psalm, 1st part, was sung /:
"The earth forever is the Lords" &c.
The Convention was then led in prayer by
Dr. Young, of Butler.
The roll was called for sketches of
churches, and remarks on different
churches. Rev. Jno. Coulter remarked
that, when he began preaching at Mud
dycreek, the name of the church was not
on the roll of Presbytery. This was in
1922 or 1928. They had no church
building for two years, and during all
this time they were never disturbed by
rain while assembled for worship in the
grove. But during their first meeting
when they could enter their new house,
but had not, as it was not quite com.
pleted, they were driven by hard rain
from the grove to their new house. Till
then there was no interruption of their
meetings by rain, for they would have
had no shelter to which they might be.
take themselves then it rained, but they
had house. Gods kind providence
was in all this. This was communion
season, and six persons were received to
church membership.
The Convention adjourned till 81
o'clock the next morning, when it met
and was opened with prayer by the Pres.
ident, Rev. John Coulter.
The minutes of the first day were read.
Rev. Q. B. Van Ernan, of the Presbytery
of Wooster, was invited to sit as mem
Der of the Convention Also, Rev. Alb
ner Dale of the German Reformed Church,
was enrolled as member.
A number of historical sketches of
churches were read. A protracted dis>
cussion followed as to the benefits to be
gained by the Cow ention, &c. Sketches
of churches were ordered to be sent to
Rev. S. j. M. Eaton, Franklin, Pa, as
he is preparing history of the churches
in this region.
1t was recommended to congregations
IN hold conventions the matler tn be loft