submitted by
Sue
Elliott
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through the dense forests along a single bridle-path, carrying their
salt and much of their flour on pack-horses. In the same summer
the ministers of Christ carried the bread of this life throughout all
this vast region.
That
you may have a proper estimated of the amount of labor performed by
pastor and people a century ago, [almost two centuries ago, now] it is
well to remember that Mr. McLean's charge embraced the territory now
occupied by Greenville, Jamestown, Conneaut Lake, Cochranton, Utica,
Rocky Spring, Sheakleyville, Clarksville and Sharon. He also
preached occasionally in Mercer, Sheakleyville, Meadville, Waterford,
and in the eastern portions of Mercer and Butler counties.
The
Church 1819-1840
In 1840, after a pastorate of 38
years, Mr. McLean was released from the
Greenville part of the charge but continued to labor in Old Shenango until
May 1853, when he resigned his charge on account of advancing age and
infirmity, having ministered in his holy office 56 years. He died in
Shenango, June 3d of the same year, with these words upon his lips:
"I will praise God while I have any being."
When he left Greenville there were
179 members on the roll. It has been estimated that during his
ministry he received into the church not less than 1,500 persons.
The records of the church in that early day have not been preserved,
making it impossible to give much of the history of those interesting
days. It would be impossible perhaps to estimate his influence upon
the church in Western Pennsylvania, especially throughout this region.
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