Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-22

instituted pastor of that congregation. TIL,
church has had but four pastors since it
organization, viz: Rev. S. Porter, ten years
and Rev. Francis Laird, thirty-four years
Rev. David kirkpatrick, thirty-four years
and Rev. Henry Balm, the present pastor,
twenty-five years.
Rev. DR.. Hill, of Blairsrille, will preside
at the services tomorrow, and some of the
leading divines of the Presbytery will be
present. According to the annals of the
church Joseph Thorn, John Guthrie, John
Hamilton and Robert Hays were the first
men to interest themselves and others in
getting Redstone Presbytery to send an
occasional supply into this part of the
country. The first sermon preached was bv
clergyman from New England on the text
God is Love-" at the house of Robert
Hays in Franklin township The farm is
now in possession of David Steel's heirs,
Other ministers we're sent from time to time
until April 81, 1890, when Rev. Samuel
Porter was called by the united cougrega-
tons of Congruity and Poke Run to become
their pastor. Presbytery met at james
Mchee's; the installation took place on
September %, 1890. Revs. James DunIap.
James Finley and DR.. John Mcmillan took
part in the ordination and installation ser
vices.
THE FIRST PASTOR.
Rev. Samuel Porter was a native of Ire
laud, born ont the 1lth of June 1760. He
was brought up Covenanter. He was early
taught the doctrines of the Old and New
HiS
to her place OF private devotions. and would
kneel down with her hand on her little bows
head ahd ask God to bless him and use him
In preaching the Gospel But the father
and mother OF young Samuel were very poor.
and the outlook for the boy ever becoming a
minister was dlscouraging indeed. The
Irish boy, grown to manhood in his native
country, married and came to America
about 1888; when be landed he had Is shil-
hngs. He spent his first winter near Mer-
cersburg, in this State. 1t was more con-
venIent for him to go to the PRESBYTERIAN
Church than to any other. The minister to
whom he listened was DR.. King, and the
young 1rishman was very much pleased.
He found that, although a PRESBYTERIAN, he
preached the essential doctrines of the
Scriptures.
Mr.. Porter soon took up his place in the
"
where popular. He was invited when q
member of the General Assembly of Win
chester, Virginia, to preach before that BODY
OF ministers and elders. The whole assem-
bly, was moved and melted to tenderness and
tears. 1t is not necessary to say that
preacher who can produce such results is no
ordinary man.
THIRTY YEARS OF LAIRD,
lAfter the release of Mr.. Porter as pastor
OF this church, Presbytery sent supplies. |
This was done for two years, when this con- |
gregatlon united with Plum Creek. in ask |
ing Mr.. Francis Laird, licentiate, to be. |
come their minister. Mr. Laird accented |
the call and was ordained and Installed on the
22nd of October, 1900, at Conrad Ludwick's
being half way between the two churches
This pastoral relation remained undis-
turbed for 80 years, when, on the 9Th Of
April, 1881, he resigned and was released |
from the pastorate of the two churches.
After having been supplied by Presbv-
terry for nearly three years a call was maSA
out and accepted by Rev. james Campbell.
He was installed May l, 1888. He only
continued year and resigned No one |
knows why be gave up his work so suddenly:
he did not seem to fit in this particular
place. He started the Sabbath school
which has remained to this day.
We have after the departure of Mr..
Campbell supplies again for nearly three
years. IN 1886 Rev. David Kirkpatrick
began preaching half the time at Elders
Ridge and half the time here. He re-
oeived call from each of the churches. but
accepted the one from this congregation and
was installed pastor May 8, 1888. DIR.
was born in Ireland Janu.rv
}, 1895. He graduated with high houors at
Glasgow University. His theologicai
raining was under the celebrated Or
Edgar. He was licensed to preach the
gospel by the Belfast Seceder Presbyterv.
lie did not preach in his native land bnt
hort time until he came to America and
'ecame distinguished and successful
eacher.
'EGINNING OF THE SECOND CENTURY
The present pastor of Poke Run was calIed
D take charge OF the congregation Nav x
869. He was born in Ohio, and was the !
On Of one OF the leading LAWYERS in the
1wn aud county in which he was brougbt
p. Graduated at Washington COLLEGE
and Western Theological !
was ordained and installed pastor G
y Blairsville Presbytery June D. 1869 2
'r. McFarren, Rev. A. .Torrence. It r. ;
wing and Mr.. MARSHALL took part in the | !
and installation services. Itwas
difficult field fer a young man without ex-
erience, just from the seminary. TO enter Y