Biographical Sketch of Rev. Robert Mayne PATTERSON, D. D., LL. D. (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 718-9. "REV. ROBERT MAYNE PATTERSON, D. D., LL. D., whose voice and influence have been for love and justice, and whose life labor has been for the good of men and the glory of his Divine Master, is the highly esteemed pastor of Great Valley Presbyterian church, and the able editor of the Presbyter- ian Journal, which is read with interest throughout the United States. He was born in Philadelphia, and his parents were John and Margaret (Mayne) Patterson, who were natives of near Belfast, Ireland, and came to this country early in the present century. "Robert Mayne Patterson received his education in the Philadelphia Central High school, from which he was graduated with the first honors of his class. Leaving school he became an official reporter in the United State senate, and during the five years that he held that position he read law. At the termination of his services as a senatorial reporter, he entered Princeton Theological seminary, from which famous institution he was graduated with high standing. After graduation he was called to the Great Valley Presbyterian church of this county, and was ordained and ordained and installed as its pastor on August 25, 1859, by the Presbytery of Phil- adelphia. He served the church with efficiency and success until 1867, when he was called to the South Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, where his pastorate of twelve years was in every way marked by great success, and during that time over five hundred new communicants were added to the church. In 1880 he became editor of the Presbyterian Journal and resigned the charge of South church; but afterward was earnestly asked by the mem- bers of his old church of Great Valley to return and live among them. He accepted their call, and has served continuously as the pastor of Great Valley church ever since, in connection with his editorial work. On May 8, 1890, under his pastoral supervision and in connection with the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the church, the present beautiful church structure was dedicated, and the exercises of the occasion were participated in by Governor Beaver, and many other prominent men from a distance. "On May 9, 1867, Dr. Patterson married Rebecca T. Malin, a daughter of Joseph and Amy Malin, of East Whiteland township, and a descendant of Randal Malin, who came over in the 'Welcome' with William Penn, and was one of the first English settlers in the Quaker colony. Mrs. Patterson is an amiable and intelligent woman, highly respected and beloved for her good works. In 1875 she accompanied Dr. Patterson in a European tour, and presides with grace and dignity over their home of generous hospitality at Clairmont, a mile north of Malvern. Their circle of friends is very wide in this country and abroad. "Dr. Patterson has held some of the most responsible and prominent posi- tions in his denomination. In 1872 he was one of the four speakers at the great ter-centenary celebration in Philadelphia, and three years later was appointed by the Presbyterian general assembly as a delegate to the conference in London, which formed the Pan-Presbyterian alliance. In 1880 he was a member and the official editor of the council of that alliance which met in Philadelphia, and gave a paper on 'Church Extension in Large Cities.' In 1884 he was a member of the council at Belfast, Ireland, and read a paper on 'Worship.' He has served in ten general assemblies of his church, in each of which he took a prominent part. In 1879 Dr. Patterson was appointed, on account of his ability, one of the committee of seven which prepared and carried through the great measure for the reconstruc- tion of the synods of the church; in 1887, a member of the committee of conference with the Southern church, on reunion; and in the same year was appointed and still remains a member of the committee on church unity and federation. Three years ago (1890) he was moderator of the synod of Penn- sylvania. Since 1870 he has been a member of the Presbyterian board of publication and Sabbath school work; and was also for many years a member of the board of education, and of the Historical society, form which, however, he resigned. "Dr. Patterson is a widely known ecclesiastical lawyer, and his opinions are sought for from all parts of the land. He has been a voluminous writer, and his weekly editorials are copious. He has also been a writer for the Reviews. Among the many tracts and books which he has written are: Paradise, Visions of Heaven, Elijah, the Favored Man; Isaiah and the Higher Critics; History of Presbyterianism in Philadelphia; Total Absti- nence, and Counsels to Young Converts. He is a tireless worker. On ac- count of his ability and successful work, Princeton college conferred on him the degree of D. D., and Lafayette college the degree of LL. D. Robert Mayne Patterson is an able and convincing speaker, and has labored with uniform power and acceptance in the cause of Presbyterianism and Chris- tianity."