Irvine, Matthew

Irvine, Matthew a minister of the German Reformed Church, was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., December 22,1817. In early life he was a schoolteacher. On account of his piety and gifts he was made an elder in the Church. His call to the ministry then became more apparent to himself and to others, and he began the study of theology privately with his pastor, and in 1843 was licensed and ordained. He took charge of feeble and scattered German Reformed congregations in Bedford Co., Pa., where he did the work of a pioneer in a truly apostolic spirit. A number of separate charges were formed from time to time out of parts of his field. His ministry was greatly blessed, and the wilderness and solitary places all around became glad. He accomplished the work of a long life in a comparatively few years, and died in peace April 21, 1857.