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 BX 9225 .E4 B76 1874 
 Brownson, James I. 
 An Address commerative of 
 the life and character of 
 
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AN ADDRESS 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE OF TUE 
 
 LIFE AND CHARACTER 
 
 Rev. DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D., LL. D., 
 
 PROFESSOR IN THE WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT ALLEGHENY 
 
 CITY, PENN. 
 
 DELIVERED IN THE 
 
 Jfirst Urtsbjitcnan C|ui'tlj of ^Iltgljeiin, 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 22.-/, 1874. 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES I. BROWNSON, D.D., 
 
 OF WASHINGTON, PA. 
 
 Delivered and Published by reqiiest of the Professors and Directors of 
 
 the Seminary. 
 
 PITTSBURGH: 
 
 ROBERT S. DAVIS & COMPANY, 
 
 BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS, 
 
 175 Liberty Street. 
 
 1874. 
 
QIQ^U^ 
 
 REV. DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D., LL.D., 
 Born February 6th, 1787; 
 Graduated September 28TH, 1808; 
 Licensed September 26th, 181 i; 
 Married May 14TH, 1812; 
 Pastor at Mercersburg, 1812-29; 
 Pastor at Washington, 1829-36; 
 Professor at Allegheny, 1836-74; 
 Died March i8th, 1874. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS. 
 
 THE call of the excellent professors of our 
 Theological Seminary imposes npon me 
 an office both difficult and grateful. My ap- 
 preciation of the eminent servant of God, whom 
 we are to commemorate, founded on the most 
 intimate acquaintance, is my very reason for a 
 hesitation, which would have found relief in 
 the discharge of this duty by some other and abler 
 representative of his character and service. At 
 the same time, I must claim that an actual son 
 could not have come to this business with a 
 more filial heart, nor with better opjDortunities 
 for its execution, I shall be pardoned, there- 
 fore, if I speak at once with the trembling 
 which veneration inspires, and the fervor which 
 love inflames, of the pastor and confidential 
 friend of my revered parents ; of the minister 
 of Christ, who baptized me in infancy, and, more 
 than any other, guided my youth and manhood 
 with fatherly counsel; and of the friend, who, 
 from the moment of ray capabilit}", took me 
 into his closest fellowship, even to the shariDg 
 of the secrets of his heart. But I must, as far 
 
6 
 
 as possible, separate myself from the entangle- 
 ments of affection, that I may stand in the 
 place of an impartial historian, to meet the de- 
 mands of a cooler public judgment concerning 
 a man who, favored of God and " by reason of 
 strength," passed far beyond " four-score years ;" 
 a man who, through the average of two gener- 
 ations, was an honored as well as " able min- 
 ister of the New Testament, not of the letter, 
 but of the Sjjirit ;" a man who, besides other 
 hio'h educational trusts, held for almost four 
 decades of years a position in the Western 
 Theological Seminary, at once vital to its exist- 
 ence, and identified with its achievements and 
 fame; a man who, in all these years, was a 
 trusted leader in the councils of the church, as 
 well as an expounder and defender of its faith 
 and government; a man, too, who by represen- 
 tation in hundreds of ministers of the Word, in 
 our land and on heathen shores, " heing dead^ 
 yet speahethJ'' In every view thus suggested, I 
 will only the better meet the requirements of 
 this occasion, if, in addition to public sources 
 of information and the largest personal knowl- 
 edge, I also use facts derived from memoranda 
 for Ids family^ in his own handAvriting, recorded 
 at my suggestion, made more than twenty years 
 ago, and now, explicitly left by himself to my 
 discretion. 
 
Dr. Elliott spent his whole life in Pennsyl- 
 vania. His grandfather, Kobert Elliott, was a 
 Scotch-Irishman, and coming to this country in 
 1737, settled on a farm about seven miles north 
 of Carlisle. His father, Thomas Elliott, who 
 was at that time about seven years old, after- 
 wards, at the close of the Indian War, pur- 
 chased a farm in Sherman's Valley, now Perry 
 County, and was also married to Catherine, 
 dauo-hter of William Thomas, of York County. 
 Of the children of this marriage, two lived to 
 old age, viz., Charles, who died near Piqua, 
 Ohio, in 1846, in his seventy-seventh year, and 
 Mary (Mrs. Andrew Paterson), who died at 
 Mount Gilead, Ohio, in 1854, in her eighty- 
 eighth year. Our veneral)le friend's own 
 mother, Jane Holliday, of the same race, was 
 born in 1745, and was first married to a relative 
 of her own name. Coming afterwards to this 
 country, they, too, settled in Sherman's Valley. 
 Mr. Holliday and Mrs. Elliott both died soon 
 afterwards, and, in due time, the families were 
 united by the marriage of the two survivors. 
 To them, as the fruit of this union, ^ve children 
 were given, viz.:. Catherine, Pobert (after- 
 wards and long, one of the most prominent 
 and respected citizens of Central Pennsylva- 
 nia), Thomas, David, and another, who died in 
 infancy. David, the subject of our present 
 
consideratioD, was born at the Yalley home, 
 February 6th, 1787. It was ever afterwards 
 his delight to speak of the affectionate happi- 
 ness of that home, in which no less than tliree 
 sets of children were joined without jealousy 
 or strife. They all manifested a warm attach- 
 ment for himself. Especially was he a favorite 
 of his half-sister Mary, who loved and cared 
 for him like as a mother. 
 
 He was not an exception to the providential 
 law, by which a pious and faithful mother's 
 character is reflected in the life of her son. 
 Such a mother early taught him to repeat his 
 prayers, as well as catechetical and scripture 
 questions, and also gave him his first lessons in 
 spelling and reading. From the age of six years 
 onward, he was sent to such schools as a rural 
 neighborhood, in those uncultured times, afford- 
 ed, his teachers being successively Isaac Watts,, 
 Thomas Meldrum, and George Williams. In 
 all these schools, Dillworth's Spelling-book, the 
 Bible, and Gough's Arithmetic were the stand- 
 ard class-books. Every morning, the pupils 
 were required to rej^eat one or more answers to 
 the questions of the Westminster Shorter Cate- 
 chism, and on each Saturday, to recite the 
 whole. Thus, if science was taught only in its 
 feeble beginnings, the higher truths of religion 
 were inculcated in the most perfect uninspired 
 
9 
 
 statements ever framed. It was partly due to 
 this training at school, but still more to the 
 maternal fidelity which set apart a portion of 
 each Sabbath afternoon to religious training 
 at home, that the future distinguished Profes- 
 sor of Theology, ^' at a very early period," 
 could both " ask and answer the whole of the 
 Shorter Catechism, without the aid of the 
 book." Who can tell how large a proportion 
 of the sound doctrinal instruction, now enjoyed 
 by the Presbyterian Church at the hands of her 
 ministry, is to be traced not only to him, but 
 through him to the sainted mother, whose high- 
 est aim for her son was, that he should be 
 grounded in the truths of God's word, and 
 sanctified by their living power through the 
 Spirit ? 
 
 It was whilst he was attending the second of 
 the schools, before mentioned, at the age of seven 
 or eight years, that he " experienced a most re- 
 markable providential deliverance from instant 
 death," which not only made a powerful impres- 
 sion upon his youthful mind of the sovereign 
 goodness of God, but, through his whole life, was 
 associated with his grateful memories of the 
 unseen hand which, as he never doubted, both 
 led and covered him. Then, and long after- 
 wards, every thought of it brought him to 
 tears, in remembrance of the msrcy which 
 1* 
 
10 
 
 snatched liim from destruction. The incident 
 will be clearest in his own language: "The 
 road which led to the school," says he, " passed 
 through a grove of lofty oak timber. One 
 morning, while on our way to school, a heavy 
 storm of wind arose. It increased in violence, 
 and by the time we reached the grove, it blew 
 a perfect hurricane. As we proceeded through 
 the timber, the lofty tops of the trees bent be- 
 fore the strong blasts, and seemed as though 
 they would be torn from their trunks. During 
 the sudden violence of one of the gales which 
 swept through the woods, we all stopped sud- 
 denly, as though we apprehended danger. 
 While thus stationary, I heard a crash like the 
 breaking of timber. But such was the noise 
 produced by the tenijDestuous fury of the wind, 
 that I knew not whence it came, nor whether 
 it was near or far off. At this moment, and 
 without any assignable reason for doing so, I 
 made a step forward, and as I moved, a large 
 limb of a tree six or eight inches in diameter, 
 and of great weight, j)assed down behind me, 
 brushing my shoulders and the skirts of my coat 
 in its descent to the earth. Had I not moved 
 when I did, at that very moment, it would 
 have struck me directly on the head and killed 
 me in an instant. And why did I move at that 
 very moment? ... It was the kind, protect- 
 
11 
 
 ing band of that God, who has preserved me 
 'all my life long unto this day,' that impelled 
 me forward and kept me from sudden destruc- 
 tion. ' Oh, that men would praise the Lord for 
 His goodness, and for His wonderful works to 
 the children of men ! ' " 
 
 We must now follow our ft'iend, in 1802, in 
 the sixteenth year of his age, as he goes forth 
 with his mother's parting kiss, blessing and 
 prayers, to a classical school in Tuscarora 
 Valley, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, twelve 
 miles distant from his home. That school was 
 taught by the Rev. John Coulter, pastor of the 
 Presbyterian Church at that place. The spe- 
 cial influence which took him there was the 
 residence of his sister, Mrs. Patterson, in that 
 neighborhood, her urgency for this new advan- 
 tage, founded on his great facility in learning, 
 and her srenerdus offer to take him into her 
 ov/n family. It required close study to over- 
 take a class which had started in the Latin 
 Grammar several months before, but this lie 
 easily accomplished. When he left that school 
 in the sj)ring of 1804, for another in the town 
 of Mifflin, he " had read as far as Virgil in 
 Latin, and made some progress in the Greek 
 Testament." His new teacher was Andrew K. 
 Russell, afterwards a tutor in Washington 
 College, and then a popular teacher and preach- 
 
12 
 
 er in Newark, Delaware. In the year spent at 
 Mifflin, be finished the usual course in Latin 
 and also in Greek, except Homer's Iliad. 
 Among his fellow- students were Alexander A. 
 Anderson, afterwards an eminent lawyer of 
 Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and member of the 
 Legislature, Joseph Ard, who became a prom- 
 inent physican of the same place, and James 
 Peacock, a leading j^yolitician and journalist for 
 many years at Harrisburg. But the happiest 
 of all the influences of that year grew out of 
 his residence in the family of the Rev. Matthew 
 Brown, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church 
 of Mifflin, and afterwards the distinguished 
 President, first of Washington and then of 
 Jefferson College. That influence restrained 
 him from temptations into which others fell ; 
 it laid the foundation of a life-long friendship 
 between two men destined to Avield great 
 power in moulding society, education, and the 
 church in Western Pennsylvania ; and it was 
 the first link in a chain of events which largely 
 shaj)ed his future life. 
 
 A new and wider sphere now opens to 
 view, as we follow the student of the Academy, 
 shortly after the completion of his eighteenth 
 year, into the responsibilities of a teacher. In 
 the spring of 1805, the Be v. Matthew^ Brown 
 received an invitation to become at once the 
 
13 
 
 ■first pastor of the Presbyterian Cluircli of 
 Washington, Pennsylvania, and Principcil of 
 tlie Academy at that place. His first step, 
 after accepting the call, was to secure his young 
 friend as assistant instructor. This arrange- 
 ment continued for one year, with great accept- 
 ance and benefit both to the community and the 
 pupils. Among the latter were some not un- 
 known to fame in subsequent life. The Hon. 
 Thomas M. T. McKennan, of national reputa- 
 tion ; the Hon. Thomas Cunningham, of Mercer, 
 long distinguished in the legislature of Penn- 
 sylvania ; the Rev. Andrew Wylie, D.D., Presi- 
 dent of Jefferson and Washington Colleges, 
 and of the University of Indiana, and George 
 and William Baird, Esquires, were of the 
 number. By agreement the school, which was 
 held in the central building of what is now the 
 old college, then standing alone, was conducted 
 one half of each week by the principal, and the 
 other half by the assistant. Thus Mr. Brown 
 had time for his pastoral duties, and Mr. Elliott 
 for his preparation to enter the junior class of 
 Dickenson College, at the close of the year. 
 The latter object was accomplished, though 
 with serious consequences to the student's 
 health. He read very carefully four books of 
 the Iliad, taking extensive notes, and also stud- 
 ied Morse's Geography, in two large octavo 
 
14 
 
 volumes, just published, and pursued other 
 collateral studies besides. The number and 
 variety of the classes in the acadeni}^, the ad- 
 vancement of some of the students almost to 
 his own progress, and his ambition of success 
 imposed great labor, both in preparation and 
 instruction. The result of the confinement and 
 stress of mind, without due bodily exercise, 
 was a physical prostration as inconvenient as 
 it was unexpected, to the recurrence of which 
 he w^as lial^le for the rest of life, under spe- 
 cial labor or exposure. Apprehending the 
 danger too late for his own benefit, he was ever 
 afterwards vigilant to guard students under 
 his care from the same injurious mistake. He 
 left Washington in April, 1806, for his 
 home, having formed many friendships, and 
 having with delight witnessed, during the 
 previous month, the success of an effort led 
 by Mr. Brown and Parker Campbell, Esq., the 
 most prominent member of the Washington 
 bar, to secure a charter from the legislature, 
 elevating the academy into Washington Col- 
 lege. 
 
 His journey homew^ard on horseback, owing 
 to changes of weather for Avhich he had not 
 provided, brought on sickness and debility 
 which hindered his entrance into colleixe until 
 January of the next year. But this was the 
 
15 
 
 most profitable interval of his life, as it was the 
 crisis of his spiritual birth. While at Wash- 
 ington, his conscience had been transiently 
 aroused under the " silver-tongued " appeals of 
 Mr. Marquis, one of the leaders of the great 
 revival just then passing away. Now, in sick- 
 ness and depression of mind, he felt the Lord's 
 hand and heard his voice. A deep conviction 
 of his lost and sinful state without Christ v/as 
 fastened upon his soul, by an influence more 
 than human. His own efforts to obtain an 
 interest in the great atonement by means of 
 reading, reflection and prayer were unavailing. 
 At length, after three months of conflict and of 
 concealment, he suddenly came into the mar- 
 velous light of God. " While lying on my 
 bed," says his private record, " engaged in deep 
 and anxious meditation on the character and 
 sufferings of Christ, he seemed to be present to 
 my mind with great distinctness, as though I 
 saw him with my bodily eyes. At the same 
 moment I exjoerienced relief from the burden 
 which had pressed so heavily upon my mind. 
 The clouds and darkness were gone, and all 
 was light and peace," The transformation was 
 a wonder to himself. As he walked abroad he 
 could now " see God in everything." " The 
 bright summer clouds and the azure sky " 
 seemed to " declare the glory of God," and to 
 
16 
 
 "show his liandiwork." "A mild glory ap- 
 peared in all things " about him, which brought 
 him " into the presence of God/' and made him 
 *' desirous to be there." The i:>leasing attend- 
 ants of the change were not indeed its real 
 evidences ; but these he did find in new views 
 and feelings concerning the character and law 
 of God, Christ and his salvation, sin, duty, and 
 holiness. One error, committed at this time, 
 and continued for two years, was ever after- 
 v/ards a matter of humble confession as well as 
 of keen lamentation. It consisted in his delay 
 to enter into the fellowship of the church in the 
 observance of the Lord's Supper. The usual 
 fear of dishonoring a Christian profession found 
 a concurrent plea in the inconvenience of leav- 
 ing college to attend communion services at 
 home, Avhere he preferred to make his confes- 
 sion. But his own experience was enough to 
 bring the realization of the neglect of a sacred 
 duty, and also of a great spiritual loss. Cau- 
 tious as he was against premature membership 
 in the church, he did not omit ever afterwards 
 to warn young converts against undue delay, 
 by reference to his own case. 
 
 Our friend's course in college was, to use his 
 own language, a continual contest with bodily 
 feebleness. At the end of his first session, the 
 j)rostration following hard study induced him 
 
17 
 
 to pack liis bookSj determined not to return. 
 But the vacation once more inspired him with 
 hope. Exercising great care, he was enabled 
 to hold such a position in his class, that on 
 his graduation, September 28th, 1808, by the 
 unanimous selection of his classmates, to whom 
 the Faculty left the distribution of honors, he 
 delivered the Valedictory. The President of 
 the College, at that time, was the Rev. Robert 
 Davidson, D.D., whose excellence as a scholar 
 was chiefly in the department of Belles Lettres, 
 His chief associates were James McCormick, 
 who, without much general learning, excelled 
 in his own department of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy, and the Rev. John Hayes, 
 Professor of Languages, a man of flue attain- 
 ments, a poet, and a Christian of eminent piety, 
 but almost totally unacquainted with the world 
 in which he lived. The other members of the 
 class of 1808 were Jas23er Slaymaker, after- 
 wards a relative of Mr. Elliott by marriage, 
 and a lawyer of some prominence and great 
 moral worth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, until 
 his death, in 1827; Henry Shippen, also a law- 
 yer and a judge in the north-western part of our 
 State ; John Williamson, a member of the bar 
 of Potts ville ; William Boyd, afterwards pastor 
 of the Spruce Creek Church, in the Huntingdon 
 Presbytery ; and John Armor, Samuel Duncan, 
 
18 
 
 and John Fisher, all of whom are long since dead. 
 James II. Miller and the brothers James and 
 Francis Priugle, received their degrees at the 
 same time, but did not belono- to the class, hav- 
 ing finished the course at the end of the previous 
 session. 
 
 Dr. Elliott's graduation at college occurred 
 four years before the establishment of the 
 first Theological Seminary in the Presbyterian 
 Church. Of course, he lacked the benefit of 
 that system of training now represented in such 
 maturity by these institutions. Had he in early 
 life enjoyed the advantages of these times, what 
 he would have become in special and varied 
 scholarship may easily be inferred from what 
 he was, under the limitations of his own period. 
 His actual mastery in every department then 
 02:>en for his entrance, would certainly have 
 been equaled in others since brought with- 
 in the reach of theological students. That 
 through all the changes and enlargements of 
 the last half-century, he held the ascendancy so 
 universally ascribed to him, is evidence enough 
 of his ability and professional attainment. 
 
 His first preceptor in theology was his pastor, 
 the Kev. John Linn, father of the Rev. James 
 Linn, D.D., so long the excellent pastor of the 
 Presbyterian Church of Belief onte, Pennsyl- 
 vania. He had as a fellow-student James Cul- 
 
19 
 
 bertson, afterwards the Rev. Dr. Culbertson of 
 Zaiiesville, Ohio. Here he spent two years in 
 careful reaclino: and in takino; extensive notes 
 of the works read, as well as in writing answers 
 at length to prescribed questions. His last 
 year was spent, of choice, with the Rev. Joshua 
 Williams, D. D., of Newville, Pennsylvania. 
 Dr. Williams stood in the front rank of the 
 theologians of his day, in talent, attainment, 
 discriminating thought, and the jDOwer of com- 
 munication. His chosen method of instructing 
 his students was to enlist them in free conver- 
 sation, draw forth their knowledge of text- 
 books, discover their own opinions, and pour 
 forth upon their minds the rich streams of his 
 own knowledge . The result was not only large 
 information, but a great quickening of mental 
 power, with corresponding facility in its use. 
 These advantages were largely enjoyed and 
 most profitably improved during that year, and 
 the student held the preceptor from that time 
 forth in the highest esteem. 
 
 We are now prepared to enter with the sub- 
 ject of our present thoughts into his public life. 
 This we shall consider in connection with some 
 of the different spheres in which he served his 
 generation. First in order comes 
 
 HIS MINISTEY OF THE GOSPEL AS A PASTOR. 
 
 He was licensed to preach as a probationer 
 
20 
 
 hj the Presbytery of Carlisle, September 26th, 
 1811. Foregoing his own preference to visit 
 several vacant churches in the State of New 
 York, he v/as induced to j)reach several times 
 to the congregation of U2:)per West Conocoche- 
 aque, at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Penn- 
 sylvania, a church of his mother Presbytery, 
 and from it he received a call to settle as pastor, 
 dated February 19, 1812. This large, intelli- 
 gent and influential church had, a little w^hile 
 before, been left vacant by the resignation of 
 the Rev. John King, D.D. That eminent man 
 of God had very ably filled the pastoral office 
 in that place for forty-two years, yielding only 
 to the infirmities of age, some two years before 
 his death. His large acquirements, both theo- 
 logical and general, had been laid under con- 
 tribution in the instruction of many candidates 
 for the mmistiy, of all whom his decided favor- 
 ite was the late Dr. Matthew Brown. His 
 standing may be inferred from the fact, that in 
 1792 he was the fourth Moderator of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly. To be chosen as the successor 
 of such a man, was no mean compliment to a 
 licentiate. But never was a retiring pastor 
 better satisfied with the selection of another to 
 wear his mantle. 
 
 The call liaving been approved by the Pres- 
 bytery, at its stated meeting in April, tbe 
 
21 
 
 young minister at once entered npon his labors, 
 though he was not ordained until the next 
 meeting in October, in his own church. Dr. 
 John McKnight preached the sermon, and the 
 Rev. David McConaughy, of Gettysburg, after- 
 wards his intimate friend and associate at 
 Washington, presided and delivered the charges. 
 In the meantime, he was married. May 14th, 
 1812, to Ann, daughter of Edward West, Esq., 
 of Landisburg, Pennsylvania, the beloved, beau- 
 tiful, admired, and happy companion of his life 
 ioY fifty-eiglit years. The Lord S2:>ared them for 
 mutual comfort through their whole period of 
 activity, and only separated them for " a little 
 while" by the hand of death, July 1st, 1870. 
 
 The congregation at that time embraced one 
 hundred and thirty-seven families, and about 
 three hundred communicants. They were scat- 
 tered over a territory not less than twelve by 
 six miles. The preaching services were held 
 alternately in the original church and in a new 
 church in the town, which were two and a half 
 miles apart. A j)rompt and vigorous system of 
 pastoral visitation was at once joined with 
 energetic public ministration of the word and 
 ordinances. Family worshij), hitherto neglected, 
 was pressed as a duty. Prejudices among the 
 people, arising out of certain cases of discipline 
 under the previous pastor, soon melted away 
 
22 
 
 before the impartiality of the new one, who 
 refused even to listen to grievances with which 
 he had no connection. The result of clear, sys- 
 tematic, able, and faithful preaching soon began 
 to appear in the quickened interest and edifica- 
 tion of the people. The sound judgment, con- 
 sistent life, and affectionate interest of the 
 young pastor soon won the confidence of the 
 old and young alike of his flock. The same 
 vigilance and j)ower of organizing forces, which 
 ripened into such mastery in after life, appeared 
 in wise plans and skillful execution. A Sabbath- 
 school was instituted, among the earliest in the 
 country,probably about the year 1816. Two years 
 later, a social weekly prayer-meeting, not less a 
 novelty in that region, was established. Separ- 
 ate Bible-classes of males and females were 
 formed, and conducted with great interest — the 
 former rising to the number of seventy, and 
 the latter to more than one hundred members 
 A like zeal organized missionary and temperance 
 associations, as these came into use. Nothing, 
 indeed, was omitted which had a fit place in 
 the plans of a faithful pastor. If the fruits 
 were not as sudden and striking as in some 
 cases, they were not the less sure. A large 
 congregation was built up in the truth. The 
 surrounding community felt a new moral and 
 religious influence. Converts were steadily 
 
23 
 
 " added to the cburcL, such as should be saved." 
 And one powerful work of grace, at least, in 
 1828, preceded by a monthly meeting of the 
 session for prayer and conference, brought 
 twenty -four believers into the ranks, leaving 
 countless other blessings also behind it. Nor 
 were the young pastor's efforts confined to his 
 own charge or neighborhood. As a specimen 
 of many public movements, the Franklin Coun- 
 ty Bible Society may be cited, which, in 1815, 
 originated in his appeal through the nev/spapers, 
 was carried to great success largely through his 
 exertions, and had the honor of representation 
 in the Convention at New York, in 1816, which 
 formed the American Bible Society. 
 
 But he was not always to sail uj)on smooth 
 seas. For a period of eight years harmony 
 and prosperity marked the happy pastorate. 
 The congregation increased to one hundred and 
 seventy families, with other tokens of favor, 
 including the enlargement of the salary twice 
 without solicitation. A temporary decline 
 which followed was beyond human control. 
 Besides some subtraction of strength by the 
 formation of two churches on the borders, the 
 great commercial depression which followed 
 the war of 1812 crippled the resources of the 
 whole community, and reduced many from 
 affluence to bankruptcy. But more serious 
 
24 
 
 still were the effects of an epideraic fever, 
 whicli, comineiicing in 1820, "made the whole 
 neiglil>orhood for two or three years a vast 
 hospital," and carried large numbers to the 
 grave. During this scourge, the faithful shep- 
 herd of the smitten flock employed every day 
 of the secular week in spiritual and other min- 
 istrations to the sick and dying, even against 
 the protest of his physician, who predicted 
 that he would be a victim. But God beheld 
 his faith and sheltered him from harm. By a 
 blessinof from the same source, the church 
 emerged from the clouds of affliction and adverse 
 influence, and, when he left it in 1829, was in 
 a flourishing state. During his pastorate he 
 baptized six hundred and fifty-five persons, and 
 there were received into the communion, on pro- 
 fession of faith, two hundred and sixty-one, be- 
 sides many on certificate. Twenty-five more 
 fauiilies belonged to the congregation than at 
 the beginning, with a still larger proportionate 
 increase of members. There are still living 
 witnesses of- this ministry, who lament with us 
 that they shall "see his face no more," and 
 sing also of his victory over the last enemy. 
 
 Simultaneously with these providential trials 
 came others, harder to bear, at the hands of 
 men. They are now recalled simply to illus- 
 trate features of Dr. Elliott's character, and 
 
25 
 
 elements of its force, wliicli those wlio have 
 known him only in old age can but partially 
 appreciate. There was a small but influential 
 party in his church opj^osed to the entire prin- 
 ciple and claim of church government and dis- 
 cipline. They were stimulated into activity 
 by an occasion meant for no such purpose. A 
 member of the church of considerable influence, 
 having almost ceased to attend upon the pub- 
 lic ordinances, neglected his duty in this re- 
 spect, even after several kind conferences of the 
 session with him, designed to win him back. 
 Applying then for a letter of dismission to 
 another church, his request was granted, Avith 
 simply the qualification that his delinquency 
 was stated in the certificate, though without 
 any expression of censure. This gave offence, 
 which w^as folio w;ed with the demand that the 
 session should recede, by giving an unqualified 
 dismission in good standing. Upon their very 
 proper refusal, some of the opponents of church 
 government made the case their own, and set 
 themselves to conquer through the strife of 
 excitement. A letter addressed to Dr. Elliott 
 himself opened his eyes to a scheme much 
 deeper than he had apprehended. When 
 clamor had failed, resort was had to accusation 
 at the bar of the Presbytery. Formal charges 
 were presented in the name of the member 
 
 9. 
 
26 
 
 claiming to be aggrieved, against the session as 
 a body. Nor was the heat of the occasion 
 satisfied with this. The pastor himself was 
 attacked with a charge involving his veracity, 
 though the difference between the parties Avas 
 only that between the statement of a fact and 
 the statement of an inference. During the six 
 mouths intervening, no efforts of a violent spirit 
 were spared to create a prejudiced sentiment. 
 Just before the meeting of the Presbytery at 
 Chambersburg, to settle the case, the pastor was 
 prostrated by the copious blood-letting, then 
 deemed necessary to reduce inflammation of 
 the lungs. But neither his physician's prohi- 
 bition, nor his emphatic warning, '^ You'll die, 
 sir: youHl die ! '''' could keep him at home when 
 the time came. He had himself conveyed in a 
 close carriage to the scene of action, preferring 
 death, if God should so please, to any stain, 
 however slight, upon his reputation. After 
 rigidly examining the v/itnesses, he rallied his 
 w^asted strength for a sj)eech of half an hour, 
 which, for clearness, force, and conclusiveness, 
 elicited the highest enconiums from all present. 
 The leading members of the Chambersburg 
 bar especially united in the verdict that the 
 defence w^as mana2:ed wnth consummate skill 
 and ability, as well as fairness. The result 
 was the unanimous acquittal of both the ses- 
 
27 
 
 sion and the pastor, and a corresponding cen- 
 sure of the accuser. 
 
 But, as if this were not enough, an appeal 
 was taken to the Synod, which was to hold its 
 meeting at Lancaster. In that body, and accord- 
 ing to the rules, Thomas Bradford, Esq., a dis- 
 tinguished lawyer and ruling elder from Phila- 
 delphia, and member of the Synod, was secured 
 as assistant to the appellant, and entered vigor- 
 ously into the case. He laid hold, as the de- 
 fendant anticipated, of certain testimony, the 
 whole plausibility of which arose from the 
 inadvertent omission of the Clerk of the Pres- 
 bytery to transmit a portion of the counteract- 
 ing evidence. Mr. Bradford concluded with a 
 bold challenge of the possibility of escape from 
 adverse judgment on that ground. The chal- 
 lenge was as confidently accepted ; the very 
 testimony relied on was shown, by a clear anal- 
 ysis, to be involved in gross self-contradiction ; 
 and Mr. Bradford was, in turn, challenged to 
 sustain his own witness. With but one dis- 
 senting voice, the Synod sustained the Pres- 
 bytery's verdict of acquittal, though the accuser 
 was relieved from censure, on the charitable 
 supposition, that he might have been misled by 
 his own witnesses. But against this relief 
 from censure, the Presbytery, in turn, appealed 
 to the General Assembly of 1823, which body 
 
28 
 
 declared this latter action of the Synod uncon- 
 stitutional. Thus the order of the church was 
 vindicated, the character of a minister was trium- 
 phantly sustained, and even as between the 
 city attorney and the village preacher, their 
 introduction in hot conflict only led to mutual 
 admiration and a life-long friendship. 
 
 The oj^position, thus completely foiled, re- 
 newed the effort at home, by schemes to divide 
 the church, through ministers not of the Pres- 
 byterian communion. But, by the blessing of 
 God upon a characteristic wisdom, prudence 
 and steadfastness to truth, those schemes came 
 to naught. These were great trials to a sensi- 
 tive heart, conscious only of rectitude before 
 God and man. As, however, they arose in the 
 path of manifest duty, they were accepted for 
 Christ's sake. Their ample reward came in 
 the warmer attachment of his people, and in 
 vastly increased reputation in the whole com- 
 munity. And, strange to say, the additions to 
 the church, during their progress, were greater 
 than usual. Some, also, of the very persons 
 relied upon as opponents, were brought by the 
 Holy Spirit to cry in the ears of the man whom 
 they were expected to oppose, " W/uii ?)mst I 
 do to he saved ? " So truly does the Son of God 
 stand by his servants in the hot furnace of their 
 trials, that not a hair of their heads may be 
 
29 
 
 injured ! So unmistakably walks " tlie faitliful 
 witness" "in the midst of the golden candle- 
 sticks, and holds the stars in his right hand ! " 
 Another incident of this first pastorate, 
 though less serious, will illustrate, in a differ- 
 ent direction, the firmness and courage which 
 lay beneath the surface of a character, so 
 marked with discreetness, self-control, and a 
 delicate regard to the situation and feelings of 
 others. Even then he gave a lesson, the like 
 of which many have learned since, that whilst 
 a personal conflict could only be forced upon 
 him by encroachments upon his rights, or upon 
 truth as he was called to represent it, any 
 assault or scheme was sure to find him ready 
 for the emergency. This occasion arose during 
 one of the hottest political conflicts ever known 
 in Pennsylvania. The leading men of his con- 
 gregation were sharply arrayed under party 
 affinities. Special intensity was given by the 
 fact that one of the candidates for a high office 
 was both a personal friend and a member of 
 his congregation. Though differing with that 
 gentleman in political convictions, he then and 
 always entertained for him the greatest respect. 
 As the campaign waxed to its height, he held 
 himself, as usual, within the strictest proprieties 
 of the Christian ministry, with a quiet purpose, 
 however, to vote for his honored parishioner, or, 
 
30 
 
 at least, not to vote against him. From this 
 course of his own preference, however, he was 
 turned, by a contrivance of some of the 
 candidate's partisans, in which, judging from 
 his own high character, we may be sure he had 
 no part. The plan was artfully to draw the 
 young pastor from the quiet and kindly posi- 
 tion of his choice, into such a commitment as 
 might be used with effect abroad. A commit- 
 tee was secretly appointed to wait upon him, 
 with this view. A confidential friend, however, 
 discovering and disapproving the scheme, felt it 
 to be his duty to apprise him of what he might 
 expect, but withheld advice in the premises. 
 The result appeared in advance of the visit of 
 the committee, in the form of a very natural 
 conversation before a social company of divided 
 sentiments. Both parties were kindly given to 
 understand his unabated regard for the candi- 
 date resident in their midst, the purpose he had 
 formed, and also its reversal now by a course of 
 things which he regretted, but which, neverthe- 
 less, had determined him to vote in his accus- 
 tomed way. This was enough to settle the 
 question. He was, of course, the subject of 
 discussion for a time. But, on sober reflection, 
 it was the final conclusion of all parties con- 
 cerned that it would henceforth be wise not to 
 interfere with a minister, who knew as well how 
 
31 
 
 to maintain his own rights, as to re=5pect those 
 of his people. Such a lesson is not without 
 salutary influence, whenever circumstances de- 
 mand it. 
 
 Dr. Elliott's second pastorate was briefer, but 
 not less important than the first. Laboring 
 under the embarrassment of debt from the pur- 
 chase of property which afterwards depreciated, 
 and without a prospect of relief from a congre- 
 gation, of whose warm love he w^as yet assured, 
 he was startled in the year 1828 with a letter 
 from his admiring friend, Dr. Matthew Brown, 
 then President of Jefferson College, at Canons- 
 burg. That eminent gentleman had just been 
 recalled to Washington, Pennsylvania, the scene 
 of his past labors, to become again the President 
 of a college which he had organized, and to take 
 charge of a beloved church of which he had 
 been the first pastor. Hesitating between the 
 warm impulses of his heart in one direction, 
 and the obligations of an official position in 
 another, he confidentially addressed his friend 
 at Mercersburg, so as to prepare his mind to take 
 either of these positions, as his own duty might 
 appear. The reply disclosed a sense of discour- 
 agement, though it fell short of avowed willing- 
 ness to leave a church so greatly endeared. The 
 subsequent declination of Dr. Brown was at 
 once followed with another arrangement at 
 
32 
 
 Washington, wLich, however, did not go into 
 effect, and the college there passed into suspen- 
 sion. How Dr. Elliott felt about these move- 
 ments will best appear in the following extract 
 from a reply to Dr. Brown, dated April 22d, 
 1829. "I received your letter," he says, "of 
 the 31st ult. Before it reached me I had seen, 
 in a public paper, a notice of your having de- 
 clined the acceptance of the invitation to Wash- 
 ington. Of the subsequent movements at that 
 place I had no notice till your letter detailed 
 them. In the result I feel no disappointment, 
 as I had not permitted myself to indulge even a 
 desire in relation to either place, until some de- 
 finite providential indications should present 
 the subject for deliberation and decision. How 
 I should have decided, had either place been in 
 my offer, I am unable to say. As matters, have 
 turned out, I have been relieved from the deci- 
 sion of what would have been a 23erplexing 
 question." 
 
 One month later, the pointing of these provi- 
 dential events was seen. Dr. Brown communi- 
 cated the substance of the previous correspond- 
 ence to his confidential friend, Alexander 
 Keed, Esq., an influential trustee of the college 
 and member of the church at Washington, Avho 
 gave it in turn to the session, then seeking a 
 pastor. A correspondence w^as opened with 
 
33 
 
 Dr. Elliott, throiigli Mr. Reed, and an invitation 
 to visit Washington, with a view of settlement, 
 was accepted, though not without a frank state- 
 ment of the whole case to the session at Mer- 
 cersburg. The good Doctor has often told me 
 that, feeling unwell, he never preached with 
 less satisfaction to himself than during that 
 visit. Yet an earnest call was tendered to him 
 by the congregation, July 6th, 1829, which he 
 held under consideration for three weeks of 
 painful suspense and of earnest prayer for light. 
 At the end of that time, his acceptance was 
 announced, together with his reasons. They 
 were such as grew out of his financial embarrass- 
 ment, the smaller size of the offered congrega- 
 tion at the time, and its greater compactness, as 
 mainly in town, a better opportunity of edu- 
 cating his children, an ajDj^rehension that a 
 change might be beneficial to the church he 
 was leaving, as well as to himself, and, most of 
 all, a conviction that he was obeying the Lord's 
 will, shown in a way that he had not sought. On 
 the other hand, the separation was attended with 
 the deepest mutual sorrow. ''It has cost me," said 
 he, " more painful feeling than any one event 
 of my life." The people, most of whom would 
 not believe such an event possible, awoke to its 
 reality only in time to shed unavailing tears. 
 " The parting scene, in many cases, was one of 
 
Q 
 
 4 
 
 inexpressible tenderuess." The fai^e well sermon 
 was preached to a melted assembly, on Sabbath, 
 the 25th of October. Two days later, the 
 Presbytery dissolved the jDastoral relation, and, 
 one week later still, the dismissed pastor and 
 his family set out upon their journey across 
 the Alleghenies. 
 
 The reception at Washington was most cor- 
 dial. After some days spent at the hospitable 
 home of Mr. Keed, the house provided for the 
 family was occupied. The pastoral work was ear- 
 nestly commenced. The same vigilance, wis- 
 dom and ability Avere carried into the work of 
 the Gospel as in the former charge. The posi- 
 tion of the church, the culture of many of its 
 members, and the educational influences sur- 
 rounding it, were calculated to stimulate both 
 study and activity. Its spiritual and social 
 forces soon found in the new pastor a centre of 
 operation. Not by pulpit pyrotechnics, but by 
 well-studied, clear, convincing, and persuasive 
 gospel discourses, were the membership edified 
 into strong spiritual life, and other hearers 
 were drawn and impressed. Prayer-meetings 
 were vigorously conducted, family visitation 
 was prosecuted, and the enterprises of Christian 
 beneficence were reduced to system. Especial- 
 ly was felt, in every direction, the matchless 
 personal influence of a leader, whose piety, 
 
35 
 
 wisdom, resolution, and sympathy were so 
 blended into unity of force that all delighted 
 to follow him. His counsel was sought in 
 movements of the community, v/hilst every 
 personal and domestic trial of his own people 
 as naturally turned to his compassion and help, 
 as the hearts of children go in trouble to lov- 
 ing parents. The whole work of the church 
 went steadily forward during the seven years 
 of this ministry, and additions to its member- 
 ship were regularly made. One revival of 
 great power brought fifty -one additions from 
 the ranks of the world, at one time, in 1835, 
 some of whom were students in the college, and 
 are now preachers of the Gospel. The whole 
 number added was two hundred and forty- 
 nine, of whom one hundred and thirty-eight, 
 or an annual average of twenty, came in by 
 profession of faith. 
 
 To Dr. Elliott, during this period, more than 
 to any other man, was due the resuscitation 
 and prosperity of Washington College after its 
 complete prostration. The trustees elected him 
 President of the institution, in connection with 
 his pastoral charge, less than four months after 
 his arrival in Washington. Prom]3tly declin- 
 ing, under the impression that the Church 
 demanded his whole time, he nominated the 
 Kev. David McConaughy, D.D., and, after 
 
36 
 
 him, the Eev. Dr. Tliomas J. Biggs. Tlie 
 declination of these gentlemen prompted a 
 renewed appeal in the direction of the 
 Board's first choice, which induced, him to 
 consent so far as to become " Actim^: Presi- 
 dent and Professor of Moral Philosophy," until 
 a permanent president could be secured. He 
 opened the college, accordingly, November 2d, 
 1830, with two additional professors, and some 
 twenty boys of the vicinity, exalted into stu- 
 dents. His inaugural address amused some, 
 surprised others, and aroused all by its spirit 
 of resolution and hope. By means of extensive 
 correspondence and other agencies abroad, and 
 vigorous internal management, the third ses- 
 sion ended w^ith one hundred and nineteen 
 young men enrolled, and the regular classes 
 respectably filled. Meanwhile, by a visit to 
 Harrisburg, he had secured an annual appro- 
 priation of ^ve hundred dollars for five years, 
 for the support of an English Department, hav- 
 ing special reference to the education of teach- 
 ers. At that stage of progress, he handed 
 over the institution to Dr. McConoughy, in the 
 spring of 1 832, by w^hom the Presidency, again 
 tendered, had been accepted. Then the acting 
 })resident was transferred to the Presidency of 
 the Board of Trustees, an office he filled to the 
 honor and benefit of the college, for the continu- 
 
37 
 
 ous period of thirty-three years, until the union 
 of the colleges in 1865. 
 
 This second and last pastorate of Dr. Elliott 
 came to an end in the summer of 1836, not by any 
 action or wish of the people or himself, but in 
 obedience to the call of the General Assembly 
 of the Presbyterian Church, to take a professor- 
 ship in the Western Theological Seminary at 
 Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. His acceptance 
 was reluctant, and against his personal prefer- 
 ence at the time. His people opposed it with 
 unanimous urgency. The Elders and Trustees 
 of the Church united in an able and earnest 
 letter of remonstrance, written by the Plon. 
 Thomas M. T. McKennan, a leading trustee. 
 Another earnest letter, to the same purpose, 
 written by the Hon. John H. Ewing, pressed 
 the interests of the College along with those of 
 the church against his removal. His own re- 
 peated replies of declination to the Seminary 
 directors were returned, with renewed appeals 
 to him as the only man who so had the con- 
 fidence of the Presbyterian Church as, under 
 God, to be able to rescue that institution from 
 its perils, and carry it to success. His final 
 compliance was simply a surrender of himself 
 to the indication from God, as expressed in the 
 appeals of his brethren. Even his people, 
 having the utmost confidence in his integrity. 
 
38 
 
 when they discovered his convictions of duty, 
 ceased, saying, " The will of the Lord be done.' 
 He left them vii^^orous and united. Bevond 
 the work which most men could have accom- 
 plished, his great wisdom had been blessed in 
 removing every trace of the bitter controversies 
 and alienations connected with the manao^ement 
 of the collesre in former years, thus brino^ine to 
 completeness the work of healing, so well begun 
 by his eminent predecessor, Dr. Obadiah Jen- 
 nings. And the parting at Washington, as at 
 Mercersburg, was under the power of a mutual 
 res2:)ect and affection, which could be ended only 
 by death. 
 
 The life of Dr. Elliott as a 
 
 THEOLOGICAL PEOFESSOE 
 
 next claims our attention. Though the most 
 important and far-reaching of all, it does not 
 need to be spread out at great length. Its long 
 continuance, its incessant watching, its various 
 and assiduous labor, and its honor and success 
 belong to the written and unwritten history of 
 the Seminary, which, with God's help, he re- 
 deemed fi'om destruction,. bore along the path 
 of its unparalleled trials, and at length beheld 
 with his own eyes established and prosperous. 
 He came to it, in its adversity, from a pleasant 
 and oTowino' ehari^^e. He bowed down under 
 
 o o o 
 
39 
 
 its burdens with a trustful heart. His faith 
 looked through its clouds of discouragement, to 
 read its future in the promises of a covenant- 
 keeping God. Upon its altars he laid his best 
 offerings of talent and scholarship, zeal and 
 prayer. He has many witnesses of his fidelity 
 before the throne, who have been called to rest, 
 when the service for which he so well trained 
 them Avas finished. He has hundreds more 
 lino'erinof on earth behind him, whose dis- 
 ciplined minds and quickened hearts give echo 
 to his lucid instructions and winning spii'itual- 
 ity. He is dead, but the Seminary stands to 
 commemorate him, and its sons are proclaiming 
 throughout our land and in " the dark places 
 of the earth, full of the habitations of cruelty," 
 the truth of God which fell fi'om his lips. 
 
 The General Assembly of 1835, which elected 
 Dr. Elliott to a Professorship, designated for 
 him the Chair of Church History. At that 
 very time, and for months afterwards, the friends 
 of the Seminary at South Hanover — afterwards 
 at Xew Albany — in the State of Indiana, 
 represented by the Rev. James Blythe, D.D., 
 the Key. John Finley Crowe, and others, were 
 making earnest overtures to him for the accept- 
 ance of a professorship in that institution. The 
 latter proposal was absolutely declined, whilst 
 the former y»'as accepted only after a year s con- 
 
40 
 
 sideration, and then, under a modification by 
 the Directors, heartily approved by Profes^^or 
 Halsey, and finally sanctioned by the Assembly 
 of 1836. Under this arrangement, Dr.. Halsey 
 was transferred to the Chair of History, and 
 to Dr. Elliott was given that of Theology. He 
 entered upon his duties shortly after the rising 
 of the Assembly, though still occupying his 
 pulpit until his formal release in October fol- 
 lowing. That position he continued to hold 
 until the election of the Rev. William S. Plu- 
 mer, D.D., in 1854, when, at his own suggestion, 
 the General Assembly authorized the Directors 
 and Faculty to readjust the chairs of instruction. 
 This change, made with his cordial approbation, 
 gave him the dej^artment of Polemic and His- 
 torical Theology, whilst Dr. Plumer became 
 Professor of Didactic and Pastoral Theology. 
 
 Dr. Elliott was quite at home in the sphere 
 of his own teaching. If, for satisfactory reasons, 
 already given, the preparation usual in his 
 times did not embrace the whole range of 
 scholarship, now open, every pupil of his days 
 of vigor retains the deepest sense of his clear- 
 ness, fullness, and thoroughness. During his 
 earlier period, he taught much more by text- 
 books and less by lectures, than afterwards. 
 His familiarity with the standard writers en- 
 abled him to enrich with their treasures the 
 
41 
 
 discussions of the class-room. His facility in 
 the Latin language especially enabled him to 
 use the incomparable Turretin and other au- 
 thorities in that dead tongue with advantage. 
 It was his habit to indicate to the students a 
 course of collateral reading, and then to test 
 their acquisitions by searching questions, rang- 
 ing through the whole field of inquiry. Theses 
 upon specified subjects were also required, and 
 subjected to criticism. And never was frank 
 encouragement withheld from those who ap- 
 proached him with honest difficulties or in- 
 quiries after truth. If the result was not the 
 student's satisfactory advancement in profes- 
 sional knowledge and skill, it was then a mor- 
 tifying conviction of his own unfaithfulness. 
 Others of his day might have been more 
 sprightly or brilliant in illustration than he, 
 but few professors sent forth their pupils with 
 clearer marks of systematic drill and thorough 
 sifting. And often did a part of his reward 
 come back in the warm thanks of candidates 
 for licensure, who, trembling under rigid Pres- 
 byterial examinations, the fashion whereof these 
 more rapid times have left behind, have re- 
 joiced, in their agony, that they had been built 
 up and fortified under his skillful hands. 
 
 Of his manner in his later professorship, 
 entered upon at the age of sixty-seven years, I 
 
42 
 
 am iinable to speak with the experiences of a 
 student, exce2:>t as its branches were interwoven 
 with his former teaching. But his well-known 
 attainments and skill in these directions, to- 
 gether with the earnestness he carried into the 
 preparation and performance alike, gave a pledge 
 which, by the common judgment, has been fully 
 redeemed. Amon«: the achievements of this 
 
 CD 
 
 last service are full courses of Lectures on 
 Church Government, and also on Pastoral The- 
 ology, ready for the press, should the present 
 wants of the Church demand these rij)e fruits of 
 his patient study and great experience. His 
 release from active duty, four years ago, to 
 vspend the quiet evening of his life as Emeritus 
 Professor in pastoral counsels and prayers 
 among the students, was no more than a just 
 recognition of his long and faithful work. 
 
 Many who hear me will welcome the transi- 
 tion from the official to the personal relations 
 of the honored professor. He was no less a 
 trusted counselor and friend than revered teach- 
 er. With the tender care of a father, he watched 
 over the interests of his students, and sousrht 
 their good. He both desired and received their 
 confidence. Their pecuniary embarrassments, 
 their perplexities of health, their doubts and 
 fears in spiritual darkness, and all the agitating 
 questions looking forward to their life-work, 
 
43 
 
 found in him a ready ear and sympatlietic heart. 
 And when they left the Seminary threshold, 
 with his parting blessing, he followed them to 
 their fields of labor, far or near, with his love 
 and prayers. Never did professor cherish for 
 pupils fonder solicitude. If he was ever wont 
 to forget himself in the indulgence of an excus- 
 able vanity, it was when he would connect with 
 the mention of the achievements or promotion 
 of any of them the almost invariable suggestion, 
 " He is a son of our Seminary." And now that 
 he has gone up to his reward, there are hun- 
 dreds, who, in turn, as they recall his tender 
 counsels, are ready to cry, with the junior 
 prophet, " My Father ! My Father ! " 
 
 Nor yet is the service of our venerated pro- 
 fessor brought out until we give due prominence 
 to his executive management, and his great per- 
 sonal influence in carrying the Seminary for- 
 ward. It had been established by the General 
 Assembly, with much public favor, through the 
 influence of Drs. Herron, Swift, Patterson, 
 Brown, Jennings, and other noble men. Its 
 valuable instruction had been given in the 
 largest measure by Dr. Luther Ilalsey, who 
 remained as his associate for one year, and now, 
 having joined us in tears at his burial, lingers 
 behind him to perform, in the same institution, 
 his last service for Christ. But several practical 
 
44 
 
 mistakes had shaken the confidence of the 
 churches in its financial management, and in- 
 clined them to withhold, to some extent, fur- 
 ther contributions. After ten years of experi- 
 ment, unfinished buildings, a faculty incomplete 
 in number, a salary relatively less than he had 
 been receiving, absolute dependence upon the 
 voluntary support of contributors whose first 
 fervor had been expended, and, most of all, the 
 disturbed state of the Presbyterian Church then 
 tending toward the great rupture of 1888 ; these, 
 taken singly, or together, offered feeble induce- 
 ments to a man of his wisdom and foresight, in 
 no need of seeking a position, except as they 
 a2:)pealed to his spirit of consecration and of 
 faith in God. His acceptance at all, in these 
 circumstances, is an imperishable record of his 
 character. But what shall we say of his con 
 sequent anxieties and toils ; his sleej)less vigi- 
 lance ; his frequent journeys, as well as appeals 
 by letter and through the press, as a suppliant 
 for help ; his unequaled personal influence 
 among friends and in ecclesiastical bodies, con- 
 stantly wielded for the same end ; and the 
 many able and skillful contributions of his 
 pen to repel assaults, to counteract injurious 
 schemes, and both to hold and stir the flagging 
 spirits of friends ? As a confidant behind the 
 scene, I boldly assert that in all the honor 
 
45 
 
 accredited to him in life for this work, and in 
 all the warm-hearted tributes to his memory, 
 the half has not been told. Never was heart 
 braver than his to withstand the discourage- 
 ments of friends, nor to confront the devices of 
 opponents. His own heart-conflicts opened in 
 their fullness only to God, with whom he pleaded 
 in faith when every other door was shut. I 
 have knelt at his family altar again and again, 
 when his emotions, pressed with this great in- 
 terest, struggled heavenward in language which 
 only the Searcher of Hearts could fully under- 
 stand. 
 
 To a divine blessing upon this fidelity as 
 much as to all other agencies, does the Church 
 owe the preservation of this school of the 
 prophets, through a hard contest of fifteen 
 years for its very .life. Faithful helpers he had, 
 but even they would have yielded without his 
 constancy. The doubled roll of students in two 
 years, confirmed the confidence of the Church, 
 as expressed in his election. Even in 1840, 
 when untoward circumstances left him alone in 
 the faculty, and, for a time, reduced the num- 
 ber of students, as well as increased the other 
 embarrassments, his resolute sj^irit proved the 
 power of God unto continuance and triumph. 
 And for years afterwards. Professors and Direc- 
 tors alike clung to him, in emergencies of trial, 
 
46 
 
 for the suj^port of their wavering ho2:>e. Others 
 might turn elsewhere for ease or promotion, 
 but in sunshine or cloud, his piirj^ose faltered 
 not, and his heart ever said, " This one tJiing I 
 chy In illustration, let me give a single fact. 
 When the late Dr. McConaughy resigned the 
 Presidency of Washington College in 1849, the 
 first formal effort to secure a successor found ex- 
 pression in a confidential letter, written by my- 
 self, to Dr. Elliott, in behalf of the local trus- 
 tees, to inquire whether he would suffer the use 
 of his name for the vacant place. The College 
 was prosperous at the time. The trustees well 
 knew the man, as they remembered the Presi- 
 dent, through whose ability the institution 
 breathed new life in 1830. Under such head- 
 ship again, they did not doubt of success. But 
 the reply was prom]3t, and also characteristic in 
 candor and kindness. With the highest regard 
 for gentlemen whom he reckoned among his 
 best friends, joined with a deep interest in a 
 college whose reputation was linked with his 
 own, he would not allow this use of his name 
 His duty to the Seminary was his reason ; and 
 this was all the more imperative, just because 
 the endowment scheme was in. painful doubt, 
 the Seminary was in debt, and a vigorous 
 movement was then in process, in view of its 
 embarrassments, to transfer it, along with that 
 
47 
 
 of New Albany, to Cincinnati. Then and al- 
 ways, come what might, both his effective in- 
 fluence and his constancy were true to the 
 object of his love. 
 
 It only now remains to present the public 
 life of Dr. Elliott as 
 
 AN ECCLESIASTIC. 
 
 His mind possessed the essential element of 
 fitness in this direction, in its clear and accurate 
 discrimination. Few could be compared with 
 him in judgment of both things and men. 
 Church government, therefore, alike in its prin- 
 ciples and applications, was congenial to his 
 taste. The necessities of his first charge, as we 
 have seen, forced ujDon him the mastery of this 
 branch of study. As a result, his first important 
 publication was a volume of " Letters on Church 
 Government," which was well received at the 
 time. His talent and skill in this way were 
 highly a23preciated from the first, and would 
 have made him a leader in church courts in 
 spite of himself. Not only was his own ad- 
 ministration, as a pastor and moderator of 
 session, marked with eminent wisdom, but no 
 opinions Vv^ere more highly prized than his in 
 meetings of Presbytery, Synod, or even the 
 General Assembly. They were also privatel}" 
 
48 
 
 sought on all hands, by his brethren, by ses- 
 sions, and by parties to judicial proceedings, 
 sometimes in person, and as often by letter, 
 even from distant parts of the country. In 
 ecclesiastical courts, he seldom failed to carry 
 his point, partly by the luminous and skillful 
 method of presenting his views ; partly by his 
 quick discernment of men ; but more than all, 
 by the conviction left by his argument, that he 
 was right. Those who differed from him in 
 Judgment were apt to count the cost before 
 drawing him forth as an antagonist in debate. 
 The wisest fathers of the Church admired his 
 extraordinary power to disentangle the real 
 issue from the complication of irrelevant ques- 
 tions, thus winning half the battle before his 
 own argument was begun. Indeed, his mental 
 force and his impressive utterance never ap- 
 peared to better advantage than when they 
 were sharpened in the conflict of discussion, 
 upon some Judicial question, or some great in- 
 terest of the truth or the Church. On the 
 other hand,- the calmness, perspicuity^ prompt- 
 ness and thoroughness of his decisions, as a 
 presiding officer, made them next to infallible. 
 But, along with all these qualities, and con- 
 tri})uting largely to their po^ver, were his uni- 
 form courtesy, suavity, honor, and delicate re- 
 gard to the sensibilities of others. 
 
49 
 
 These statements of themselves suggest the 
 reason, not only why, more than any person as- 
 sociated with him, he was entrusted with the 
 settlement of church difficulties, but why also, 
 prior to the age when close confinement affected 
 his health, he was so often sent as a member to 
 the General Assembly, especially at times when 
 great questions were at issue. The Presbytery 
 of Carlisle so commissioned him to the Assem- 
 bly of 1814, — the second after his ordination. 
 He represented the same constituency in the 
 Assemblies of 1820 and 1827, In the former 
 he made his first speech on the floor of that 
 august body, upon the '^ Plan of Correspondence 
 with the Associate Reformed Church," and in 
 the latter, he served as a member of the Ju- 
 dicial Committee ; as chairman also of the Com- 
 mittee on the Narrative of the state of reliofion, 
 and wrote that paper; he also prepared another 
 report on a judicial case, which harmonized the 
 seriously conflicting views of the court ; and he 
 took part also with the majority in the location 
 of the seminary which became the scene of his 
 future and then unexj^ected service, as professor. 
 The Presbytery of Washington embraced its 
 first opportunity of sending him to the Assem- 
 bly, in 1830, and repeated this token of confi- 
 dence in 1835. The Synod of Pittsburg, in 
 
 like manner, showed its appreciation by elect- 
 3 
 
50 
 
 ing him as its Moderator in 1831, the first meet- 
 ing he regularly attended, — sickness in his 
 family having hindered his presence during 
 most of the sessions of the previous year. And 
 it was at that meeting, and with his earnest co- 
 operation, that the " Western Foreign Mission- 
 ary Society " was formed, which has expanded 
 into the present glorious Board of Foreign Mis- 
 sions of the General Assembly."^ In the former 
 of the Assemblies (1830) last named, Dr. Elliott, 
 besides other important service, prepared a re- 
 port as chairman of a committee, in which the 
 Assembly not only disproved but repelled as 
 inexcusably slanderous, certain accusations that 
 the Presbyterian church sought a union of 
 church and state. In the latter — held at 
 Pittsburg in 1835 — he was prominent among 
 the leaders of ' a house in which the rallied 
 forces of old and new schoolism met in the 
 hardest battle- strife. A pronounced old-school 
 man himself, his justness and considerateness 
 towards opponents so secured their personal con- 
 fidence as greatly to increase his power. By 
 just such influence, he had at the last meeting 
 of the Synod of Pittsburg, harmonized the irri- 
 tations of that body into the unanimous adop- 
 
 * In this connection it may not be improper to state that he was 
 Moderator of the old Synod of Philadelphia in 1837, and also the 
 first Moderator of the Synod of Allegheny after its organization in 
 1854. 
 
51 
 
 tion of a decided but conciliatory report, written 
 by himself, upon one of the most strenuous 
 measures of the controversy — the famous " Act 
 and Testimony." The Moderator of 1834 not 
 being present, his position, by right of custom, 
 as Chairman of the Committee of Bills and 
 Overtures in the Assembly of 1835, was assign- 
 ed by the new Moderator, Dr. Phillips, of New 
 York, to Dr. Elliott. Besides much other im- 
 portant business, this committee was called to 
 consider the overture of a large convention of 
 old-school men, which had preceded the meet- 
 ing of the Assembly, covering the important 
 questions in controversy. He was also chair- 
 man of the committee on the transfer of the 
 Western Foreign Missionary Society to the con- 
 trol of the Assembly, which entered largely 
 into the strife also, as involving the question 
 between ecclesiastical management of Missions 
 and their management by irresj^onsible volun- 
 tary associations. That transfer was not ac- 
 complished by the next Assembly, owing to an 
 adverse majority in that body, but was con- 
 summated the following year. 
 
 The professorship of Dr. Elliott having car- 
 ried him as a member into the Presbytery of 
 Ohio — now the Presbytery of Pittsburg — that 
 body also elected him at its first meeting there- 
 after, as a Commissioner to the General Assem- 
 
52 
 
 bly of 1837. By that body, wMcli held its ses- 
 sions in Philadelphia, on the nomination of Dr. 
 Ashbel Green, he was elected its Moderator, by 
 a majority of thirty-one votes over .Dr. Baxter 
 Dickinson. This vote revealed the relation and 
 strength of parties. That Assembly has long 
 since become historical as the real crisis of the 
 division of the church, formally accomplished 
 the following year. Its debates were marked 
 with great ability and as intense earnestness. 
 The measures adopted were of a decided char- 
 acter, but every inch of ground vv^as fought 
 over before they were reached. But over that 
 powerful body, thus aroused, presided the most 
 self-governed of all the number. His equanim- 
 ity was not disturbed during the three weeks 
 of hot debate. His decisions were prompt and 
 clear. His ov/n sentiments were known by all, 
 but his justice and his courtesy were without 
 discrimination. Even the other side generally 
 admitted both his ability and fairness. Long 
 afterwards, with his own hand he penned the 
 record of his spirit and action then, in the sig- 
 nificant words, ^' I cannot, upon a careful review 
 of my course, charge myself with giving that 
 portion of the Assembly with whom I sympa- 
 thized any undue advantage over the others." 
 His sentiments in regard to the measures of 
 that Assembly came fully out in a speech in 
 
53 
 
 their defence at the next meeting of the Synod 
 of Pittsburg, — the longest, ablest, and most 
 effective speech of his life. It was in formal 
 reply to his valued friends, Dr. Herron and the 
 Hon. Robert C. Grier, afterwards Justice of the 
 Supreme Court of the United States. These 
 gentlemen both adhered to the same Assembly 
 with himself, but they disapproved of some of 
 its measures. 
 
 Dr. Elliott was returned to the next Assem- 
 bly, in 1838, over which, after preaching an 
 able opening sermon, he presided, under the 
 rule, until its organization by the election of 
 his successor. During this brief space the rup- 
 ture was finally accomplished. Never did a 
 Presbyterian Moderator occupy the chair in so 
 momentous and trying a crisis. Yet there he 
 sat calm above the tumult, meeting each emer- 
 gency with instant decision, and yet v/ith an 
 accuracy which, in every instance, received the 
 sanction of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 
 as expressed in the '' opinion " rendered by one 
 of the ablest Judges of this or any other state, — 
 the late Chief Justice John Bannister Gibson. 
 That eminent jurist, after a most exhaustive re- 
 view of the proceedings — of which the Modera- 
 tor's decisions were often the most vital — as 
 well as of the pleadings, arguments of counsel, 
 and the adverse judgment of the court of Nisi 
 
54 
 
 Prius, vindicated each of these decisions sepa- 
 rately, as well as all of them conjointly. This 
 was done by a most rigid analysis and applica- 
 tion of the specific law of the Presbyterian 
 Church and of the statutes of Pennsylvania, 
 from which State the charter of the Trustees of 
 the General Assembly had been received, and 
 also of the general principles of parliamentary 
 law and usage. It was just after this searching 
 review that the distinguished Chief Justice is 
 reported to have said, in conversation with 
 gentlemen of the Bar, that " Pennsylvania had 
 only missed having the best lawyer in the state, 
 in the person of Dr. Elliott, by his becoming a 
 minister of the gospel." 
 
 It was at the close of the same great trial 
 that the Hon. John Sergeant, of Philadelphia, 
 w^hose masterly and thorough argument in the 
 case, some have pronounced the greatest of his 
 life, — in which, too, he not only fully vindicat- 
 ed the official decisions of Dr. Elliott, but also 
 paid the highest tribute to his character — wrote 
 a private letter to his brother-in-law, tlie llev. Dr. 
 Samuel Miller, of Princeton, New Jersey, under 
 date of May 2d, 1889, of which the follow^ing is 
 an extract, viz : 
 
 "If it be practicable, it seems to me that Dr. Elliott 
 ought to have some special mark of regard and confidence. 
 He has been at a post of danger, where he has well per- 
 formed his duty, but where he could not escape suffering. 
 
55 
 
 He is entitled to much consideration from those for whom 
 he was thus exposed. Would it be fit to make him Modera- 
 tor of the next Assembly? " (See Dr. Miller's Life.) 
 
 But the compliment of a second election to 
 the Moderator's chair has never been conferred 
 by the Assembly. Had it been attempted, it 
 is far from certain that this case would not 
 have been made an exception to the stern 
 usao^e. 
 
 In all these controversies, thus brought to an 
 end. Dr. Elliott was animated with the one 
 governing j)urpose of maintaining God's truth. 
 If, like all other men, he was fallible, he was 
 wont to " speak the truth in love," even when 
 he set himself to " contend earnestly for the 
 faith once delivered to the shunts." And when, 
 after the lapse of years, he became convinced 
 that the same truth and glory of God would 
 be advanced by the re-union of the two several 
 branches of the Presbyterian Church, on th^ 
 basis of the standards pure and simple — most of 
 the questions in controversy having then disap- 
 peared — he gave to this blessed consummation, 
 so long wished and prayed for, his cordial and 
 prayerful sanction. The master-sj^irit in the 
 storms of tumult and rupture, a generation 
 later, with a like devotion to the pure gospel, 
 gave the hand of fellowship and uttered the 
 words of benediction over union and peace re- 
 
stored. And amidst the final blending in 1870, 
 in the same city which witnessed the disrup- 
 tion, the wires flashed from Allegheny City the 
 salutation : 
 
 "The Moderator of the last Assembly of the Presby- 
 terian Church, immediately preceding the separation, 
 sends greeting to the first re-united Assembly of the same, 
 through their Moderator, praying that their proceedings 
 may be distinguished by the wisdom that is from above, 
 and cemented by the charity which is the bond of pcrfect- 
 ness. David Elljott." 
 
 Dr. Elliott was once more sent by the Pres- 
 bytery of Ohio to the Assembly, in 1844. The 
 Presbytery of Allegheny City in like manner 
 honored itself by sending him, in his old age, 
 to those of 1864 and 1865. In the latter he 
 offered and secured the passage of a strong re- 
 port on tem23erance, which abides, together with 
 his able defence of it in the Presbyterian Banner 
 two years ago, to his undying credit. His last 
 public and official appearance in this highest 
 court of the church was in 1867, when, though 
 not a member of the body, he read in clear 
 tones his able and comprehensive report as 
 chairman of a committee, appointed the pre- 
 vious year, on " Ministerial Sustentation," with 
 special reference to " unemployed ministers and 
 vacant churches." As the production of an 
 octogenarian, that report challenged the ad- 
 miration of the Assembly and the Church for 
 
57 
 
 the wisdom of its reasonings and conclusions, 
 and for the faultless excellence of its construc- 
 tion. If the Church has not yet come up to 
 readiness for its fulfillment, it still contains the 
 great principles, in which she must find a 
 remedy for her neglected work and her wasted 
 power. 
 
 But now we must close this imperfect sketch 
 of the puhliG life of our venerable Doctor, with 
 a brief delineation of his 
 
 Private Chaeacter. 
 
 This takes us within the sphere of personal 
 acquaintance and intimacy, to express the 
 judgment and feeling of many witnesses, capa- 
 ble of verifying every word that shall be 
 uttered. Dr. Elliott's character was, after all, 
 the real stronghold of his influence. Vigorous 
 and cultured intellect, superior wisdom, unfalter- 
 ing energy, and a life-long service, all come to 
 proportion and power in the moral excellence of 
 the man to whom they belonged. In person, he 
 was above the medium size. He was genial 
 and sympathetic in his feelings. His manners 
 had the simplicity, candor, politeness and at- 
 tractiveness of a true Christian gentleman. He 
 was mao^nanimous and courteous, even in differ- 
 ence and contest. As he scorned unfair advan- 
 tage in carrying his point, so he was ever able 
 
 9* 
 
58 
 
 to detect and expose it in others. The law of 
 uprightness ruled him both in public and pri- 
 vate dealing with his fellow-men. I have often 
 heard from his lips the confidential story of his 
 annoyances, and yet I never heard from him a 
 purpose, or even suggestion, at war with the 
 highest standard of truth and honor. He held 
 the confidence of his brethren and the world, in 
 full proportion to the intimacy which opened 
 to their view the secret springs of his action. 
 If even a foiled antagonist would attempt to 
 cover his own confusion with the insinuation 
 of artifice, where others saw only the sagacity 
 of a man as truthful as he was wise, no words 
 of defence were needed to beat back the base 
 insinuation. His continued defence was in the 
 estimation of good and discerning men. His 
 friends were life-long in their trust and attach- 
 ments. Both in secular and religious associa- 
 tion, one principle animated him whose sure 
 crown was the unqualified reliance of his fellow- 
 men upon his integrity. He did truth, and 
 thereby ever came to the light. 
 
 In social sympathy^ Dr. Elliott's character 
 deepened with advancing years. His home was 
 always a centre of hospitality, even to serious 
 encroachment upon his substance. So also 
 poverty and sickness, trial and misery were 
 sure of the offerings, at once, of his heart and 
 
59 
 
 hands. His thoughtful attentions to persons 
 in humble life, his visits of tender affection to 
 the abodes of distress, his letters of Christian 
 comfort to the bereaved — enough to fill volumes 
 if published — his constant fidelity in turning 
 social opportunity to the end of the soul's sal- 
 vation, — all these habits of his active life grew 
 upon him more and more as conscious infirmi- 
 ties foretokened " the night, when no man can 
 work." The young never learned to shun his 
 presence for any fretfulness of age, but rather 
 gathered about him, attracted by the loving 
 playfulness which demonstrated his share in 
 their joy. Little children even, without herit- 
 age in his blood, would covet a seat upon his 
 knees, that they might throw their arms about 
 his neck and call him " Orandpa Elliott ! " 
 whilst his own children and grandchildren were 
 only returning his parental fondness when they 
 cluns: to him with a devotion almost idolatrous. 
 Even employees and servants carried away 
 with them from his house, not only a vivid re- 
 membrance of his kindness, but also the grate- 
 ful thought of his solicitude for their best good. 
 All these classes loved him as a friend, and 
 ver}^ many such hastened with trembling steps 
 to take their last look upon his coffined face, 
 and then turned away in tears, as in the parting 
 with a father. Junior Professors, Directors, 
 
GO 
 
 Trustees, Alumni, and Students of the Semi- 
 nary, like a family of bereaved cliildren, — loving 
 brethren in the ministry of his own and other 
 branches of the Church, — Christian men and 
 women who had profited by his public and 
 private counsels, and risen heavenward in spirit 
 upon the breath of his prayers, — even men of 
 the world, before whom his goodness was a liv- 
 ing demonstration of the truth of religion, — not 
 excepting also the young, who had learned to 
 pronounce his name only with affectionate re- 
 verence ; — all these Joined his stricken family in 
 tears of grief and in tender remembrance before 
 God at his burial, — the outgushing of hearts 
 stricken with the sovereign hand in his re- 
 moval. 
 
 But, better than all besides, was Dr. Elliott's 
 faith in Christ and consecration to the service of 
 God. We have traced him in his early spiritual 
 change and in the long course of holy living 
 and self-denying work, whereby he "adorned 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour." What but 
 the constraining love of Jesus, the living foun- 
 tain of grace in his heart, could have produced 
 sucb results ? To know him at all, w^as to 
 perceive that in all things he was habitually 
 and cheerfully controlled by the Divine will 
 as his supreme law. Though always a witness 
 for the truth, in word and deed, his religious 
 
61 
 
 affections were deep and operative. Even his 
 severe self-control did not repress spiritual 
 emotions, which often gave touching power to 
 his counsels and devotional utterances. He 
 was familiar with all the phases of Christian 
 experience. Of the hundreds who came to 
 him with their conflicts, none departed without 
 having been pointed to the fullness of Christ, 
 as the one only relief, and that, too, with a fresh- 
 ness which showed the source of his own sup- 
 plies. In short, his life was so imbued with 
 the evangelical spirit, that he carried it into 
 every personal, domestic, and public relation. 
 Need I say, that he was eminently a man of 
 'prayer f All his plans, purposes, enterprises, 
 anxieties and sorrows were laid before God in 
 humble faith. Every object or person having 
 a place in his love, was sure of earnest presen- 
 tation in his wrestlings at the mercy-seat. Not 
 until the books of the Throne shall be opened 
 will we be able to estimate the power of his 
 intercessions. Nor yet can we doubt, that 
 though his stiffened lips shall no more move 
 in supplication, there are petitions of his on 
 record before the All-seeing eye, which still 
 shall come to fulfillment in the success of his 
 Master's cause, and in the salvation of dear 
 friends. 
 
 '' But how was it with the venerable Doctor, 
 
G2 
 
 as he went down to ^ the valley and shadow of 
 death?'" is the tender question, which still 
 falls from the lips of some who knew and loved 
 him well. There are those wdio could arise in 
 this audience and give the answer, telling how 
 " the meekness and gentleness of Christ ^' came 
 to fulfillment in his temper — how humility and 
 hope were blended in his words — how even the 
 few and transient ravings of disease found ex- 
 pression, without one utterance to be regretted, 
 only in the language of Christian fellowshij), 
 solicitude for the Church, and prayer for him- 
 self, his family, the seminary, and every interest 
 of the kino^dom of heaven — and how, in smilino* 
 confidence, he waited for the coming of the Lord. 
 But we shall learn it still better in a few ex- 
 tracts from his letters written to confidential 
 friends. " Through the abounding merqy of 
 God," he wrote to me, February 8, 1866, " I 
 have entered upon my eiglitieth year since last 
 Tuesday, which was my birthday. I have out- 
 lived nearly all my old friends. In looking 
 back over my long life, I see much to deplore, 
 and for which to be humbled before God. But 
 in Christ I have one sure and enduring ground 
 of liope. He is all my salvation and all my de- 
 sire. Although not w^ithout fears arising from 
 iiuhvelling corruption, yet, as I draw near to the 
 end of my earthly pilgrimage, I think I enjoy 
 
63 
 
 more of the presence of Christ with me, and 
 find nearer and more comfortalde communion 
 with him in prayer and other religious duties. 
 Still, I need more of the purifying grace of 
 the spirit of God to fit me for Heaven. My 
 desire is to be holy as my Redeemer is holy. 
 And thus I wait till my a]3pointed time shall 
 come, entertaining the trembling hope that God 
 will not forsake me in my old age, but bring 
 me to his heavenly kingdom." 
 
 Writing in a similar strain, two years later, 
 he says, "The past winter has been pe- 
 culiarly fatal to aged persons. Although 
 I think of death with calmness, and with- 
 out slavish fear, I have felt more deeply 
 impressed than ever before, that there is ' but 
 a step between me and death.' " " In Christ, 
 I indulge the ho]3e that I shall find some 
 humble place in one of those ^ many man- 
 sions ' w^hich are in his Father's house. I feel 
 that I have fallen far short of living up to the 
 requirements of my various responsible posi- 
 tions in life. I can plead no righteousness of 
 my own ; all has been marred by sin. Upon 
 the perfect righteousness of Christ, and that 
 alone, I rely." In another letter, dated August 
 24, 1871, after accepting my invitation to 
 make me a visit, he says : " You understand, I 
 presume, that I have to refrain from preaching. 
 
64 
 
 This is one of my greatest trials ; for I love to 
 preach, and it would be a luxury to hold forth 
 the Word of Life once more to the people of 
 my former pastoral charge. But God lias 
 ordered it otherwise, and I know that all he 
 orders is right." To a son-in-law in the minis- 
 try, he writes, July 19, 1871: "I hope you will 
 realize your highest expectations, in reference 
 to your new field of labor. For this, continued 
 exercises of faith in God's converting grace, 
 will be required. Keep Christ in the fore- 
 ground. While every part of divine truth 
 must be preached in its proper place and time^ 
 Christ and his Cross must be rendered promi- 
 nent. This is the great central point, to which 
 all others must be made to converge." To a 
 beloved daughter, emerging from sickness, he 
 WTote, July 29, 1873. After several lessons 
 drawn from the Word of God for her consola- 
 tion, he refers her to "the tender sympathy 
 and afi*ectionate love of Christ for his children," 
 especially as illustrated in the farewell address 
 and intercessory prayer, as found in John. (Chap, 
 xi V. — xvii.) " The nearer I approach the end of 
 my earthly course," he adds, "the oftener I 
 read, and the higher estimate I place upon this 
 portion of God's word. I w^ould recommend it 
 to your particular attention." Out of many 
 other specimens, I have space only for one 
 
65 
 
 more. The letter which contains it was written 
 February 5, 1874, only a few weeks before his 
 death, to a dear Christian friend, near his own 
 age, and was the very last production of his 
 pen. "You perhaps have not forgotten," he 
 writes, "that to-morrow will be my birth -day. 
 This, therefore, is the last day of my eighty- 
 seventh year. How my present state of health 
 may terminate, I cannot, of course, predict. 
 Although I am somewhat stronger than I was 
 some weeks ago, I hardly venture to hope for 
 any great increase of vigor. As to this, I feel 
 willing to leave it, with all my other and 
 higher interests, in the hands of my covenant- 
 keeping God. Death is a very solemn event ; 
 but it has long been familiar to my thoughts, 
 and I hope that through the abounding mercy 
 and grace of God, 1 shall be sustained in that 
 solemn hour." 
 
 Blessed be God ! he was " sustained." His 
 intellect, except in a few transient intervals, 
 was clear to the end. His last literary pro- 
 duction, in the form of a letter of a dozen pages 
 in pamphlet, substituted for an address, which 
 the weather and his infirmities hindered him 
 from delivering at the celebration of my quar- 
 ter-century pastorate, less than three months 
 before his death, was above criticism, even in 
 its punctuation, as it came from his pen, show- 
 
G6 
 
 ing no marks of failure, save only in liis tremu- 
 lous Land. His minute and ex2:)licit directions 
 at the last, also, concerning Lis business, Lis 
 papers, and tLe very details of Lis funeral, 
 v^ere given witL a clearness equaled only by 
 Lis undisturbed serenity. His faitL was calmly 
 triumpLant. TLe feeble utterances of Lis depart- 
 ing breatL betokened intermingled communion 
 witL eartL and Leaven, tLe peace of Loly transi- 
 tion from tLe tender embrace of tLe beloved Lere, 
 into tLe redeemed comj)any in tLe presence of 
 God and tLe Lamb. On tLe eigLteentli day of 
 MarcL, 1874, Le gently fell asleep in Jesus — 
 as gently as an infant uj^on its motLer's breast. 
 TLe sun of Lis life set in a cloudless sky, giv- 
 ing, in its lengtLened rays, a sv^eet token to all 
 wLo beLeld Lim of tlie glorious day witLout 
 clouds or tears, upon wLicL Lis immortal eyes 
 were tlien oj)ening. We could not weep, but 
 only praise God, as we bore Lis precious body 
 to tLe beautiful city of tLe dead, and reverently 
 laid it down to rest by tLe side of Lis sainted 
 wife, glad tLat even tLen tLeir spirits were 
 Loly and Lappy togetLer in tLe vision and fel- 
 lowsLip of tLe glorious Redeemer. 
 
 ' ' There no sigh of memory swelleth ; 
 There no tear of misery welleth; 
 
 Hearts will bleed or break no more : 
 Past is all the cold world's scorning, 
 Gone the night and broke the morning 
 Ov^er all the golden shores." 
 
67 
 
 He has gone also to sing of victory with 
 Elisha McCurdy and the other noble pioneers of 
 the Presbyterian Church in Western Pennsylva- 
 nia, whose labors he rescued from oblivion in 
 sweet biographical sketches, which generations 
 to come will read with interest, as well as with 
 other felloAV-laborers, who have followed them 
 from the church militant to the glorious rest. 
 
 Only a few of his associates and fellow-help- 
 ers in the work of Christ along the path of 
 these toils, anxieties and trusts, like the ven- 
 erable President of the Board of Directors of our 
 Seminary, linger behind him, to repeat in their 
 turn the like witness of the Master's grace, when 
 "natural force" shall more and more be abated, 
 and the visions of this world of sense grow more 
 dim. But here is a bright example to confirm 
 their expectation and ours, that, ere long, the 
 door of the celestial home shall open gently to 
 their spiritual sight, and the y/ell-known voice 
 of Jesus shall fall upon their ears, saying, 
 " Comej ye blessed of my Father ! " 
 
 To us all who have been led in the paths of 
 truth and righteousness by this man of God 
 w^ho has gone up from our midst, the lessons of 
 his life remain, a legacy of love and inspiration, 
 as we follow on, never doubting, that "through 
 faith and patience "he now " inherits the prom- 
 ises." Only, brethren, a little more of 
 
G8 
 
 work and watching, of duty and cross-bear- 
 ing, of fidelity to Christ, and of the partaking 
 of his sufferings here, and then, '' when his 
 glory shall be revealed, we shall he glad aim 
 with exceeding Joy." 
 
69 
 
 FUNERAL SERVICES, 
 
 March 2lst, 1874, 
 
 After a tender and impressive prayer by the 
 venerable Dr. Luther Halsey, at the house of 
 Mrs. Dale, where Dr. Elliott had his home, the 
 body was borne to the North Presbyterian 
 Church, Allegheny City, by the Rev. Drs. 
 Alexander Donaldson, George Hill, E. E. 
 Swift, and J. L Brownson, who had been 
 chosen by the deceased for this service. To- 
 gether with the singing of appropriate hymns, 
 Professor William H, Hornblower, D. D., read 
 selected portions of Scripture, after which Pro- 
 fessor A. A. Hodge, D. D., led the Assembly in 
 the following 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Our Great Father, who art in Heaven, God 
 of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God and 
 Father of our Lord Jesas Christ, our fathers' 
 God, we come before Thee this day a weeping 
 company of bereaved children, to lay the body 
 of our earthly father in the grave. His child- 
 ren and his children's children of his blood 
 and name ; his spiritual children and pupils ; 
 his colleagues and successors in the faculty of 
 this seminary, and in the ministr}^ of the Gos- 
 
70 
 
 pel; merabers of the churches to whom he 
 ministered, and with whom the last years of his 
 patriarchal life were passed ; we come a band 
 of orphans bearing our father to the tomb. 
 
 We bless Thee for Thy signal grace vouch- 
 safed to him through all these years; for the 
 abundant natural talents entrusted to him 
 at his birth, for the beauty of his moral char- 
 acter, adorned with all the fruits of the Spirit 
 of his Lord ; for the fullness and power of 
 his life, the abundance of his labors, and 
 the eminent services he was enabled to 
 render to Thy Church. We thank Thee for 
 the great success with which Thou didst 
 graciously reward his ministry, for the great 
 length of his life, and the heavenly sweet- 
 ness of its long eventide. We bless Thee that 
 Thou didst crown such a life with such a death ; 
 that Thou didst so gently loosen the cords of 
 his tabernacle, and by such gradual and painless 
 stages let him down to his final sleep. 
 
 And now, that Thou hast removed our 
 father to th^at heavenly homestead in which so 
 many he loved Avere gathered before him, we 
 pray that Thy blessing may rest upon us, who, 
 for a time, linger behind him. May we also 
 learn the secret of his favor Avith God and 
 man, and the lessons which his life were designed 
 to teach us. Raise up successors worthy to 
 
71 
 
 take his place in Tliy earthly kingdom. To 
 the remotest generation may the sacred inherit- 
 ance of his example and influence descend to 
 our children and to their children. Lord, ever- 
 more keep his memory green. 
 
 This we ask to the honor of Thy grace, and 
 through the merits of Thy son our Lord. 
 Amen. 
 
 Addresses were then delivered by the Rev. 
 Drs. Jacobus and Wilson, as follows : 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE REV. M. W. JACOBUS, D.D., LL.D. 
 
 My Brethrei^ — A Prince of the Royal blood 
 — a Pillar in the Temple of God — a Patriarch 
 in our Israel — has fallen ! Not prematurely, 
 but most maturely. Not suddenly, but 
 slowly, as when a mother lays her infant 
 gently down from her breast upon its own 
 bed and pillow. " Behold how he loved 
 him 1 " Jesus is here — yet not to weep at his 
 grave, but to triumph ; holding in his hands 
 the keys of Death and Hades, and pointing, in 
 this opening spring-tide, to the Resurrection. 
 
 A good man's life has commonly the briefest 
 record, because it is the expression of a few 
 simple j)rinciples of action. The God-man ! 
 What a record was His — given him by the early 
 Church in two words originally — '' He went 
 
72 
 
 about doing good." And Enoch, the seventh 
 from Adam ; what a record of a long patri- 
 archal life, in three words originally — " He walk- 
 ed with God," where the personal intimacy, 
 walking together as if arm in arm, overstepped 
 the formalities of death. And so it is written : 
 "Noah was a just man and perfect in his gene- 
 rations." And "David, when he had served 
 his own generation by the will of God, fell on 
 sleep." And Elijah, the prophet of Israel, was 
 pronounced to be " the chariot of Israel and the 
 horsemen thereof;" the vehicle of the Divine 
 power and grace, well equipped, as the repre- 
 sentative and embodiment of Israel's forces on 
 the field. Our Elijah has gone : " My father ! 
 my father ! the chariot of Israel and the horse- 
 men thereof." 
 
 What a life is this that has just now closed ! 
 Not threescore and ten, nor fourscore, but 
 nearly fourscore and ten, without the labor and 
 sorrow incident to such advanced years ; not an 
 hour outliving his usefulness. 
 
 Sixty -iJiree years a minister of Jesus Christ. 
 More than a full average life-time spent in the 
 preaching and teaching of the Gosj^el, with all 
 his excellent qualities of mind and heart freely 
 given to the blessed service. If I should ven- 
 ture on an analysis of his character, I should 
 say it was compounded of strong sense, eminent 
 
73 
 
 wisdom, steadfast priucij^le, steady purpose, 
 and unwavering faitli in God. Here is true 
 greatness. 
 
 Forty-iive years were spent in this Western 
 Church, preaching and laying foundations in 
 educational work; setting his hand to our 
 oldest College and our oldest Theological Semi- 
 nary at great crises in their history, when their 
 existence seemed to hang, under God, upon his 
 wisdom and power of will. He came to the 
 kingdom for such a time as this. And he has 
 lived to see both these institutions in the full 
 tide of prosperity. 
 
 But his great Ufe-worh was his headship of 
 this Theological Seminary during thirty-eight 
 years. He came in his full prime — fifty years 
 old — ripe in experience and rich in solid re- 
 sources for his generation. He found here only 
 this venerable father who survives him (Dr. 
 Luther Halsey), and who had taught the first 
 regular class, and acted as the sole Faculty (a 
 whole Faculty in himself) during seven years, and 
 who, after a year of joint labors, gave up the charge 
 to his hands. What labors ! what struggles ! what 
 conflicts ! what prayers and tears he gave early 
 and late to this service ! What a work to look 
 back upon ! Nearly a thousand men have gone 
 forth from under his hand, a large majority of 
 
 whom are to-day laboring as ministers of Christ 
 4 
 
H 
 
 4 
 
 throughout this laud aud iu various foreigu fields. 
 Nearly a quarter of a ceutury ago I came to 
 his side, when his only associate Professor was 
 commonly understood to be in transitu^ and 
 everything struggling up the hill. I have seen 
 him in times of great darkness. But always his 
 resource was in God. What dignity ! what 
 gravity ! what simplicity ! what suavity and 
 urbanity! what fidelity in the most trying 
 hours ! 
 
 As an instructor in Theology, in Church 
 Polity, or in the Pastoral care, the Church knew 
 him to be wise and true, and all his pupils re- 
 vered and loved him. As an ecclesiastic, he 
 shone in the Church courts, and lifted his voice 
 most effectively in the administration and guid- 
 ance of her affairs. 
 
 And what a death ! We see scientists and 
 statesmen die; but science does not solve the 
 problems of the soul, and statesmen may say 
 nothing of the enfranchisement of our race by 
 Jesus Christ. Let them stand by and see a 
 great man die. Here is true greatness, that is 
 equal to the last exigency. He had traversed 
 the whole circuit of the promises and had 
 proved them all. And death was no stranger 
 to him. For several months past the dark 
 valley was to him a shady retreat, where he 
 rested away from the summer's sun and looked 
 
75 
 
 out upon the river lie was soon to cross. The day 
 before his departure he said to me : '' It is a sol- 
 emn thing to die ; but my trust is in Jesus." He 
 sent messages of affection and confidence to the 
 Professors, and referring to a boy in College 
 whom he loved, he said : " Tell him to be stead- 
 fast — to be faithful. Tell him to live to preach 
 the Gospel. The harvest truly is plenteous, but 
 the laborers are few." A plea for the Christian 
 ministry in his very dying breath ! This was a 
 death that might extort even from a heathen 
 magian, like Balaam, the prayer : " Let me die 
 the death of the righteous, and let my last end 
 be like his," 
 
 This bereaved family is a titled house. In 
 the heraldry of the Church they have a crest 
 which will be recognized as long as they or 
 their posterity survive. 
 
 " My father ! my father ! the chariot of Israel 
 and the horsemen thereof!" 
 
 BY REV. S. J. WILSON, D.D. 
 
 We gather to day around the coffin of a be- 
 loved and revered father. His numerous pupils 
 — his theological sons — all feel that in his death 
 they have suffered a personal bereavement. 
 Through nearly forty years of service in the 
 
76 
 
 Theological Seminary, such was his faithful- 
 ness, such his walk and holy living, such the 
 sweetness of his temper, such his Christian ur- 
 banity, that all those who have gone forth from 
 the institution during that time entertained for 
 him the truest, deepest, warmest feelings of 
 filial love and veneration. The world knows 
 him as a theologian, an author, an organizer, 
 an accomplished debater, a true and fearless 
 champion of that which he believed to be right, 
 an ecclesiastical leader, a model presiding 
 officer of the General Assembly ; but we, who 
 sat at his feet, who labored with him, who saw 
 him from day to day, who were brought into 
 constant personal contact with him in intimate 
 and confidential intercourse — we who lived in 
 the atmosphere of his faith, his 2:)rayers, and his 
 genial cheerfulness and hopefulness — we forget 
 his fame in the love which we bore the man. 
 
 The fact of his great age does not mitigate 
 our grief, but rather, if 2:>ossible, intensifies it. 
 His feelings continued so fresh and youthful 
 that he did not seem to grow old. In his 
 eighty-eighth year the dew of youth was still 
 on his heart. There was no rust or mould on 
 his affections. Such men nt3ver grow old. 
 And then he had been with us so long; the 
 habit of his presence had grown so strong upon 
 us ; he seemed to be so much of a necessity, 
 
77 
 
 that it appeared as thougli the Lord would not 
 take him. But now that he is gone — really 
 gone — how great the void ! What loneliness 
 oppresses the heart ! Uj^on whose counsels 
 can we lean as we leaned upon his ? Whose 
 wisdom can we trust as we trusted his ? In 
 whom is so embodied all that is signified and 
 suggested by the Y^ovdi father ? 
 
 So long as yonder Seminary stands, he will 
 not be without a monument. It owes its exist- 
 ence to him. Let this be said over his coffin. 
 Had it not been for his indomitable energy and 
 tenacity of purpose, it would not have survived 
 its trials. He lived in it and for it. The ardor 
 of his loyalty to its interest knew no shadow 
 of change. My belief — founded on facts and 
 personal observation — is that no day of his life 
 passed without sj)ecial prayer for the Seminary, 
 its professors, and its students, past, present, and 
 prospective. With the utmost solicitude, affec- 
 tion, and interest, he followed the members of 
 the successive classes as they passed out from 
 the institution and went forth into the great 
 harvest-field of the world; and when the news 
 of his death shall reach far-off mission-stations, 
 the sorrow of a real bereavement will rest upon 
 the hearts of many of the devoted pioneers of 
 the gospel. He loved Ms students. He was 
 zealous of their fame and their good name. 
 
78 
 
 His pride and happiness Avere in their useful- 
 ness and true honor. His eye would kindle 
 and his face become radiant when he spake of 
 anything that was praiseworthy in; the career 
 of any of them. 
 
 Some have spoken of him as being laid aside 
 in these latter years — of his work being done 
 and his usefulness as past Say not so. In the 
 iinal account — in the great summing up and 
 settling up, it may be found that these are the 
 very years which will yield the largest revenue 
 of results and glory. As he went from room 
 to room, conversing searchingly and faithfully 
 on experimental religion, and praying with each 
 student alone, he was probably putting forth a 
 greater power for good than he put forth in the 
 most vigorous days of his preaching and teach- 
 ing. He has, I presume, thus prayed in every 
 room in those buildings. What a consecration ! 
 While living, he loved to tell how, when the 
 building on the hill was in process of erec- 
 tion, old father Patterson, with tottering steps, 
 climbed to the summit, and, entering the un- 
 finished rooms one by one, knelt and offered 
 this prayer — "God bless. the lads." He himself 
 has left us an equally rich inheritance of prayer. 
 It seemed to us as though no great calamity 
 could befall the Seminary while it was protected 
 by the bulwarks of bis faith and intercession. 
 
79 
 
 The beauty of his life and character consisted 
 in the perfect and exquisite symmetry of them. 
 His character was like a Doric temple. There 
 was nothing incongruous in it. The full effect 
 of his life is only felt when it is studied as a 
 whole. Take it all in all, and where will you 
 find a more beautiful or a more truly noble life ? 
 As a Pastor, as a Preaclier, as President of a 
 College, as an ecclesiastical Counsellor and 
 leader, as Professor in a Theological Seminary, 
 he attained eminent success. In all these high 
 vocations he was greatly honored, and was 
 widely useful. As a citizen, neighbor, friend, 
 liusband, and father, who has left a record more 
 unsullied and honorable ? 
 
 But I hear a voice from that coffin rebuking 
 me. He would not permit me to say these 
 things. I hear kim say : ''''By the grace of God 
 I am what I amy And so over his coffin we 
 would magnify tbe grace of the Saviour whom 
 he preached, and whose G ospel he recommended 
 so illustriously by bis life and example. That 
 life and example no one can or dare gainsay. 
 For these v/e most devoutly thank God. We 
 bless God that he was spared to us so long, and 
 that his faculties were unimpaired, and that he 
 was so truly himself to the very last. He has 
 fought a good fight ; lie has finished his course ; 
 he has ke]3t the faith ; he has received his 
 
80 
 
 crown ; he has entered into his rest. May we 
 sacredly cherish his name, and humbly and 
 lovingly copy his example. It was said that 
 the cloak of old Doctor Miller hausrins: in the 
 hall was a power in Princeton Seminary. May 
 the shadow of the presence and the memory of 
 our revered father long continue to be a power 
 for good in the halls of our School of the 
 Prophets. 
 
 Brief addresses followed from the Kev. Luther 
 Halsey, D. D., and also the Rev. Dr. Page, of the 
 Protestant Episcopal Church, the latter of whom 
 pronounced the benediction, after which the pro- 
 cession moved to the Allegheny Cemetery. 
 
81 
 
 ACTION OF THE PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 
 
 REV. DAA^D ELLIOTT, D.B., LL.D. 
 
 The following action lias been taken by the 
 Professors and Students of tlie Western The- 
 ological Seminary, concerning the honored and 
 beloved Rev. Dr. Elliott, so long at the head 
 of this institution : 
 
 Whei'eas, It has pleased God to take from us the venerated 
 and beloved head of this Seminary, the Emeritus Professor, 
 David Elliott, D.D., LL.D., who for nearly forty years has been 
 the President of its Faculty, the preceptor of its students, and 
 the pillar of the institution ; therefore, resolved by the Faculty 
 and students assembled: 
 
 1. That we put on record our profound appreciation of his 
 rare peisonal worth as a man after God's own heart, and of his 
 massive and superior qualities, as a wise counselor, a deep 
 thinker, an able and faithful teacher and preacher, and a beloved 
 exemplar, whose praise is in all the churches, and whose memory 
 will be fondly cherished always by all who have been under his 
 care. We bear our united witness, also, to his self-denying 
 labors for this institution, which early tind late he served, and 
 which is so largely indebted to him for its establishment and its 
 success. 
 
 2. We gratefully record God's goodness to the Church, In 
 sparing him so long to occupy so conspicuous a post in her 
 councils, through gieat crises in her history, and to be the 
 instructor of so many of her ministers in all the land and in 
 foreign fields ; and lately, when he would no longer occupy the 
 
S2 
 
 Professor's chair, in continuing liini among us to be an interces- 
 sor for us at the throne of grace. '' My father, my father, the 
 chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof" As the honored 
 patriarch of this Western Church, whose name is inscribed upon 
 the walls of her oldest College and her oldest Theological 
 Seminary, and living to past four-score and seven years, he did 
 not outlive his usefulness. 
 
 3, We do also give hearty thanks to God for his kindness to 
 bis dear servant in leading him so gently down to the gates of 
 death, and in granting to him such a peaceful and happy 
 departure, A holy and beautiful life ! A holy, beautiful, and 
 blessed death ! " Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
 right, for the end of that man is peace." And we do earnestly 
 pray that God's blessing, which he so constantly invoked upon 
 us, may rest upon his bereaved family and this bereaved Semi- 
 nary, which he bore together so fondly upon his paternal heart 
 in life and death. 
 
 ACTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 
 OP 
 
 WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON COLLEGE. 
 
 March 24, 1874, 
 
 Upon the report of a committee, consisting of 
 the Hon. John H. Ewing and the Rev. James I. 
 Brownson, D.D., the followins: minute was 
 
 7 7 O 
 
 unanimously adopted, viz : 
 
 The Board feel called to record, with deep sorrow, the death 
 of the Rev. David Elliott, D.D,, LL.D., which occurred on the 
 18th instant, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years, lie was 
 a teacher in the Washington Academy, in connection with the 
 late Rev. Dr. Matthew Brown, for a year immediately antecedent 
 
83 
 
 to the charter of Washington College, in 1806. He was also the 
 chief agent in the resuscitation of the College in 1830, after its 
 temporary suspension, and acted as its President with great sac- 
 cess, for a period of eighteen months. And upon his retirement 
 from the Faculty, in 1833, that he might devote himself ex- 
 clusively to his pastoral charge, he served with great honor and 
 acceptance as President of the Board of Trustees until 1865, 
 when, both on account of his age, and in oider to facilitate the 
 union of Washington and Jefferson Colleges under one charter, 
 he resigned his place. In the course of his long and distinguished 
 life, he was ever a patriotic citizen, a devoted Christian, an able 
 minister of the gospel, and a laborious and influential promoter 
 of collegiate and theological learning. The sympathies of the 
 Board are hereby tendered to his afflicted family, whilst also 
 this minute is placed on record to express our share in the 
 general bereavement of his death. 
 
 By authority of the Board. A true extract from the records. 
 
 THOMAS McKENNAN, 
 
 Secretary. 
 Washington, Pa., March 24, 1874. 
 
 FIEST PKESBYTERIAN CHUECH OF WASHING- 
 TON, PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The following minute, reported by a commit- 
 tee consisting of Dr. McKennan and Messrs. 
 McKean and Hoon, was unanimously adopted 
 by the officers of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Washington, Pa., at their monthly meeting, 
 April 4th, 1874 : 
 
 The Rev. David Elliott, D.D., LL.D , the honored senior Pro- 
 fessor of the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, 
 
84 
 
 since 1836, and for seven years previous tbe no less honored 
 pastor of our church, having, on the 18th ult., been called to his 
 heavenly rest, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, after a life of 
 the most valuable service to religion, to the Presbyterian Church, 
 and to the cau^e of collegiate an 1 theological education, we, the 
 officers of this cliurch — the Pastor, Elders, and Deacons— in 
 solemn recogniiion of this event, do hereby unanimously 
 resolve : 
 
 I. That speaking for ourselves and the present generation, 
 and also reflecting the great respect and afiiection of the vener- 
 able session formerly associated with this eminent man of God, 
 but now all with him, as we trust, in the Church on high, and 
 of the fathers and mothers who sat with delight and profit under 
 his faithful ministry, only a few of whom linger among us, we 
 desire to express our great sense of the learning, ability, wisdom, 
 and piety of the minister and professor, so long spared by the 
 Head of the Church as a chief expounder and defender of her 
 faith, leader in her councils, and teacher of her rising ministry. 
 
 II. That we heartily unite with all those who have been 
 joined with him in the M'ork of Christ, or have sat as learners at 
 his feet, in devout thanksgiving that his faculties were preserved 
 in clear exercise to the last; that his natural and spiritual aftec- 
 tions were only deepened in the prospect of death, and that in 
 the serenity of a cloudless trust he passed into the presence of 
 the Redeemer, whose blood was his only sacrifice, and whose 
 statutes had been his " song in the house of his pilgrimage." 
 
 III. That we hereby express to the children of the deceased 
 
 our sympathy in their bereavement, joined with our prayer that 
 
 the event, surrounded with so many tokens of divine goodness, 
 
 may be followed with a blessing upon each of them, and upon 
 
 all the interests so long and well represented in the life-work of 
 
 their beloved and now sainted father. 
 
 A true extract from the minutes. 
 
 J. C. ACIIESON, 
 
 Clerh. 
 
85 
 
 ACTION OF THE SESSION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PEESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MEKCERSBURG, 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The following paper was adopted by the 
 Session in regard to David Elliott, D.D., a 
 former pastor of tlie church : 
 
 With feelings of sorrow we record the death of our venerated 
 friend and father in Christ, David Elliott, D. D., who departed 
 this life in Allegheny City, March 18, 1874, in the eighty-eighth 
 year of his age ; and who had been the pastor of this church 
 from October 7di, 1812, to October 29th, 1829. Dr. Elliott made 
 full proof of his ministry. He was faithful and diligent, and 
 earnest as a pastor and preacher. His labors were greatly 
 blessed in this part of our Lord's vineyard. His life was without 
 a blemish. He was greatly beloved. 
 
 While we thus sorrow for his departure, we feel thankful to 
 the great Head of the Church that he was spared so long, lived 
 a life of so great usefulness, and that for so long a period this 
 church shared his labors. 
 
 While we sympathize with his family and friends, and the 
 Western Theological Seminary (of which he was an honored 
 professor), in this bereavement, our prayer is : " Let us die the 
 death of the righteous, and let our last end be like his." 
 
 Memorial services were held in the church 
 on Lord's day, March 29th, 1874. A sermon 
 was preached by the pastor, from 2 Kings ii. 7 : 
 " My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and 
 the horsemen thereof," on the life, character, 
 and labors of the deceased, and the church was 
 draped. 
 
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