BIO: REV. GEORGE M. REED, D. D., Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 767-769 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ REV. G. M. REED, D. D. In these days of progression a clergyman must not only be a man of intelligence, fully grounded in the teachings of his church, well read upon countless subjects, and one who carries out in his life the doctrines he advocates, but he is obliged to be a man of affairs as well. To succeed spiritually as well as in a material way the preacher of today must also be a man of good executive ability, an excellent business man, and one who can impress upon his people the necessity for works as well as faith. The people of the United Presbyterian Church at Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., the only church of that denomination in the Cumberland Valley, are to be congratulated upon their present pastor, the Rev. Dr. G. M. Reed, who was called to this charge in July, 1880, and has since then endeared himself not only to his own people, but to the entire community, and gained the confidence of the business men as well. Dr. Reed was born in Canonsburg, Pa., and after a preliminary course in the common schools was graduated from Westminster College, New Wilmington, in 1873. Thence he went to Allegheny City, and later to Newburgh, N. Y., to take a complete 768 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. course in theology. In April, 1875, he was licensed to preach by the First New York Presbytery, and ordained in April, 1876, by the Mansfield Ohio Presbytery. At once he was placed in charge of the churches of Hayesville and Monroe, Ohio, entering upon his duties in April, 1876. In January, 1880, he received a call and in July, 1880, as before stated, he took charge of the church at Newville. The title of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him in 1900 by his Alma Mater, Westminster College. He was moderator of the Synod of Pittsburg in 1890, and is at present president of the Cumberland Valley Sabbath Association. Here his special faculty for organization and executive ability make him a very valuable official. The First United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1764, and has had but six pastors in its long history; they being: Rev. John Rodgers, 1772-1781; Rev. John Jamieson, 1784-1792; Rev. James McConnell, 1799-1809; Rev. Alexander Sharp, D. D., 1824 to 1857; Rev. William L. Wallace, D. D., 1861 to 1879; Rev. George Murray Reed, D. D., 1880, to the present time. A peculiar incident in the history of the church is that every pastor save one has had a new church edifice. For some time prior to 1772 the people worshipped in a tent. The first building was constructed of logs; the second of stone; the third was of brick, amphitheatre style, and was considered the finest church edifice in the valley. The fourth building which was also of brick, and two stories in height, was destroyed by fire in 1881. The present structure is an elegant one, one-story in height, Gothic style, with a Sunday-school room, parlor and other buildings adjoining. It was erected at a cost of $18,000, and is the pride of the congregation. The people of the Newville Church havealways been noted for their liberality, and the manner in which they have regarded their church debt. To them this debt has been a personal obligation, to be discharged as their own private affairs. The benevolences of the church amount to at least $800 per year, while their incidental expenses are fully $1,500. The present generation has built two churches. The church was organized over 140 years ago and has over 225 active, enthusiastic members, who gladly follow their beloved pastor wherever he leads. The church itself, with the manse, constitutes a very valuable property, and the situation of the church edifice in a grove of native oaks is a happy one. In the summer the glad song of the birds commingle with the voices of the congregation in praising the Creator, and one is insensibly reminded of the days when the people of God had naught but the blue sky above them for a covering, and the trees for their carved pillars. Too much praise can scarcely be given Dr. Reed, who has labored unceasingly in every way to advance his congregation. Not only, however, is he known and respected as the keen, enterprising man of business. In the pulpit he speaks as one inspired, and brings many souls to God through the eloquence of his preaching and force of his logic. In the sick room, and by the side of the grave, he is the tender, sympathetic friend and pastor, cheering the departing ones, as well as those who are left, with the promises made to the elect. In social gatherings, Dr. Reed displays another side of his character, and is the genial, courteous, charming gentleman whom all delight to honor. In the great gatherings of his church his intelligence, ability, and research come into play, and he is called upon to fill CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 769 offices of great responsibility, and to guide others in the grand work of establishing and maintaining the Kingdom of Christ upon this earth, which shall hold until the Last Day. In April, 1875, Dr. Reed was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Kinner, of Sharpsville, Pa. They have a family of four children: George Kinner, Gertrude Adell, Chloe Campbell and Paul Mehard.