William Gray Murdock was born in Milton in 1881, graduated from Bucknell in 1905, by 1910 was an attorney in Milton, was drafted in 1917, served as Postmaster from 1911-1922, and died in January 1962 at the ago of 80 years old. This poem was published on April 26, 1956 in the Milton Standard newspaper.
Warrior Run Presbyterian Church
By William G. Murdock
Written in 1948
By Warrior Run’s calm and peaceful flow, the Presbyterians of long ago,
Built, amid the primeval oaks, a House of Worship for their folks;
Close to the Susquehanna River it stood, this frontier Church of logs and wood;
But in the summer of 1778, Bulter’s Seneca Indians, sad to relate,
Burned the building to the ground, as they ravage the county for miles around.
When Freeland’s Fort fell before McDonald’s might, leaving the valley a desolate sight,
Many of the Church’s members were slain or fled, or as captives into the wilderness led;
But a few years after the Great Runaway, the settlers came back determined to stay.
A new Church was built further up the Run, where a great Christian service was begun;
And here the forty years of more, its members found solace with its door.
These were the years of plenty and peach that brought the Church a steady increase;
In growth and faith and goodly deeds as it ministered to local wants and needs.
It was from here, more than a century ago, that Richard Armstrong went forth to sow,
The seeds of the Gospel in Hawaii, whose leading citizen he came to be.
Then, one hundred and ten years ago, was built the beautiful Church we know,
Which stands today with dignity and grace, amid old trees and its burial place.
Where three generations of Presbyterians lie, close to the highway which passes by.
From the towns below to the Muncy hills, whose beauty always the traveler thrills.
What sacred memories this Church could tell, of the joys and sorrows that befell;
The People who came to worship here, under Pastors names we now revere;
Bryson, Wescott, Herron, Sheddan and Marr were loved and respected near and far.
Their force and vigor and orthodox views were always a source of interest and news.
And what a sturdy list of Elders ruled here; men of true Faith, who knew no fear.
Hutchinson, Ruckman, Watson, Guffy, McKinney, McKee, Durham, Armstrong, Hayes and Finney;
Fulkerson, Gaston, Graham, the Montgomery brothers, Vincent, Wilson, Barr, McCormick, and others.
When dissention at different times arose, their wisdom and tolerance brought it to a close.
Strife between schools of old and new thought, of a century ago, to a speedy end was brought.
Differences due to the troubles between the North and South, were not here seen.
These men would not have tolerated for one minute Church modernism, with the poison that is in it.
Now this Church’s work is done, and it stands alone; a hallowed reminder of days that are gone.
But its service was carried into every State, by sons and daughters as they would migrate.
The greatness of our Country is largely due to the type of people old Warrior Run knew.