American Presbyterianism...

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Preface

American Presbyterianism has been carefully studied by a number of the best scholars the Presbyterian Churches of America have produced. There are several works, well known to the public, of great merit. It will be sufficient to mention : The Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, by Charles Hodge, D.D., LL.D., Philadelphia, 1851 ; History of the Presbyterian Church in A merica from its origin until the year 1 760, zvith Biographical Sketches of its Early Ministers, by the Rev. Richard Webster, Philadelphia, 1857 ; History of the Presbyterian Church ift the United States, by Ezra H. Gillett, D.D., 2 vols., Revised edition, Philadelphia, 1864; Mammal of the Reformed Church in America, by the Rev. E. T. Corwin, D.D., 3d edition, New York, 1879. These are models of their kind. The author has found them very helpful in his researches.

There are also a considerable number of valuable monographs, among which we may mention : Sketches of North Carolina, N. Y., 1846; Sketches of Virginia, Philadelphia, 1850 ; Sketches of Virginia, 2d series, Philadelphia, 1855, all by Rev. W. H. Foote, D.D., containing rich stores of information ; History of Elizabeth, by Rev. E. F. Hatfield, D.D., N. Y., 1868 ; Historical Discourses relating to the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, by Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D., Newark, 1853 ; History of Southold, by the Rev. E. Whitaker, D.D., Southold, 1881 ;

yi PREFACE.

Annals of Newtown^ by James Riker, N. Y., 1852 ; Two Centuries in the History of the Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, L. /., by the Rev. J. M. Macdonald, D.D., N. Y., 1862 ; History of Rye, N. Y., 1871, and History of Bedford Church, N. Y., 1882, both by Rev. C. W. Baird, D.D. ; Biographical Sketches of the Founder and Principal A lumni of the Log College, by Prof. Archibald Alexander, D.D., Philadelphia, 1851; Terra Mariae, Philadelphia, 1867; Founders of Maryland, Albany, 1876; Virginia Vetusta^ Albany, 1885, all by the Rev. E. D. Neill, D.D.

The author would not have ventured upon a field apparently so well cultivated, if it had not been for the discovery of original documents which were unknown to previous writers, and which cast a flood of light upon the origin and early history of American Presbyterianism.

An examination of the writers already mentioned revealed the fact that none of them had used the sources of information in the MS. stores of the Libraries, Museums, and Ecclesiastical and Missionary bodies of Great Britain, with the single exception of those of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Accordingly the author took advantage of a summer in Great Britain to explore these sources, and he was surprised at the rich harvest awaiting him. He has spared no time, labor, or expense in the exploration of these sources, and everywhere they have been opened to his inspection with the utmost kindness.

We feel it to be a duty and a privilege to tell the story of our researches, and to render thanks where it is due. In Scotland, through the assistance of Prof. Alex. F. Mitchell, of St. Andrews, and Mr. Douglas, of Edinburgh, we were enabled to search the MS. Minutes of the Church of Scotland, from which we have made extracts of all the material relating to America, in two vol-, umes which are deposited in the library of the Union

PREFACE. yii

Theological Seminary, New York. We give to our readers several longer extracts from these records in the Appendix XXIX., XXX., XXXII, and XXXIII.

Through the help of Prof. Henry Calderwood, LL.D., and Dr. Kennedy, Clerk of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, we explored the Minutes of the Associate Synods (Burger and Anti-Burger). Extracts will be found in the Appendix XXXII. Through the kindness of Prof. A. F. Mitchell, D.D., and Mr. J. W. Tawse, we examined very carefully the Minutes of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, the fruits of which will be seen especially in Chapters VII. and VIII. We are also greatly indebted to John Small, M.A., Librarian of the University of Edinburgh, and Mr. J. T. Clark, Keeper of the Advocates' Library, for free and full use of the MS. stores of these great treasures of learning. In the Advocates' Library we discovered a large amount of valuable material relating to America, which has been carefully copied under the direction of Mr. Clark, and deposited in the Library of the Union Theological Seminary, New York. From these stores we publish, for the first time, five letters of James Anderson, the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New York City (Appendix XX.), and letters of George McNish, George Gillespie, William Steward, and Alexander Hucheson (Appendix XXI.-XXIV.). In Glasgow we were greatly indebted to Prof. A. B. Bruce, D.D., and Prof. John Young, M.D., curator of the Hunterian Museum, and John Young, B.Sc, for access to uncatalogued books and manuscripts. Here we discovered the letter of John Eliot of 1650, which is now published for the first time in Appendix IV., giving an account of all the ministers, towns, and churches of New England at that period. We also owe our thanks to Dr. J. Marshall Lang, of Glasgow, and Dr.

yj^ PREFACE.

Smith, of Cathcart, for the use of the MS. records of the Synod of Glasgow, which revealed the strong interest of that Synod in the American Presbyterian Churches, and assistance in funds and in supplies of ministers at an earlier date and in greater measure than was previously known.

In London we were greatly aided by Mr. Hunter, the librarian of Dr. Williams' Library, who is a model of kindness, courtesy, and attention to the wants of students. In the rich collections of this great Puritan Libraiy we discovered, among many other things, the letter of Matthew Hill to Richard Baxter, which carries back Presbyterianism in Maryland to 1668, and links the later Presbyterianism with the early Puritan emigration from Virginia, under the lead of the ruling elder, William Durand (see Appendix VHL). Through the assistance of Mr. Hunter and the kindness of W. D. Jeremy, Barrister, we were permitted to examine the MS. Minutes of the Presbyterian Fund Board and to discover therein the names of a number of early Presbyterian ministers aided by that Board on their way to America. Also through the effectual help of Dr. L. J. Bevan and the kindness of the Trustees of the Congregational Fund Board we were enabled to trace the origin of several other ministers sent out by that Board as missionaries to America (see Appendix XIV.). We also owe our thanks to Mr. Fred. Chalmers and W. M. Venning D.C.L., and the Governor and members of the New England Company, for important information with reference to this first missionary Society of Great Britain (see Appendix v.). To the Rev. Dr. Baker, Head Master of Merchant Taylor's School, the Rev. Dr. H. W. Tucker, Secretary, and Mr. Charles F. Pascoe, Librarian, we are indebted for the free and full use of the Minutes and Letter Books of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel

PREFACE. ix

in Foreign Parts, where a considerable amount of valuable material was gathered, which is given in the Appendix XVL, XVII, XVIII, XIX. The author shall never forget the kindness and courtesy of the late Right Reverend Bishop of London, John Jackson, D.D., and the efficient help of his resident chaplain, the Rev. G. C. Blaxland, M. A., in the examination of the Fulham MSS., at the episcopal palace. The Librarian of the Lambeth Library, S. W. Kershaw, F.S.A. ; and E. M. Thompson, Keeper of MSS. in the British Museum, are renowned for their kindness and attention to scholars. We owe them our thanks for kind suggestions and help. Amid the mass of unpublished documents of the Rolls Office, the author was so fortunate as to discover among the Maryland papers, the important letter of Benjamin Woodbridge, from Portsmouth, N. H, 1690 (see Appendix XL), which gives fresh information with reference to this city of New Hampshire, as well as the first Presbyterian preacher in Philadelphia. In Ireland our explorations were also rewarded with success. Through the kindness of Dr. W. Fleming Stevenson and the Trustees of the Dublin General Fund, we obtained the rare privilege of access to their valuable minutes (see Appendix XV.) In Belfast, the venerable Prof. W. D. Killen, D.D., gave us access to the MS. Minutes of the Sub-Synod of Derry, and other early Irish documents in the Assembly's College. In Londonderry, the Professors, Thomas Croskery, D.D., and Thomas Witherow, D.D., placed in our hands the invaluable minutes of a number of the early Irish Presbyteries, preserved in the McGee College, the fruits of which will appear in Appendix IX. and elsewhere in the book. In Armagh, through the kindness of the Rev. J. H. Orr, Stated Clerk, and the Rev. John Eliot, pastor of the Presbyterian church, Armagh, we consulted the

X PREFACE.

MS. Minutes of the Synod of Ulster, from which a considerable amount of fresh information was derived.

In the United States, we have been greatly indebted to George Moore, LL.D., Superintendent of the Lenox Library, for the use of the treasures of that richest library in America ; as also for the use of two letters of Francis Makemie, never before published (Appendix X., 3 and 4), and other material, in addition to his valued counsel. To D. McN. Stauffer, Esq., we are indebted for the privilege of consulting the most precious of all the letters of Francis Makemie, which is given in Appendix X. 5. Latimer Bailey, Esq., clerk of the Session of the First Presbyterian church, N. Y., kindly gave us repeated access to the records of the Trustees and Session, the fruit of which will appear in the book. The Rev. James W. Mcllvaine, of Baltimore, has earned our thanks for furnishing the deed of gift of Ninian Beal (Appendix XIL) and other information resulting from his own researches.

We are also indebted to the Librarians of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Boston PubHc Library, the Harvard College Library, the American Antiquarian Society, the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and the New York Historical Society, for transcripts of rare tracts and manuscripts.

In mentioning these, the chief sources of help, we would not be unmindful of a large number of other friends who have given us assistance in various ways too numerous to mention. We can only express our gratitude to one and all. Without the help so kindly and freely offered everywhere in Great Britain and America this work could never have been written.

We have not hesitated to use in the preparation of this book the material already given to the public in a number of articles published in periodicals from time to

PREFACE. xi

time. It will suffice to mention, the Documentary History of the Westminster Assembly ^ Presbyterian Review^ January, 1880 ; the Provincial Assembly of London^ Presbyterian Review, January, 1881 ; the Principles of Puritanism, Presbyterian Review, October, 1884, (originally given as an address at Airedale College, England, but revised and enlarged for the Review^ ; Puritanism in New York in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Ceftturies, in the Magazine of American History, January, 1885 ; and occasional articles in several religious journals. These may all be considered as preparatory to the present work.

The author has diligently sought for original authorities, and has based his work upon them. He has been greatly favored in the discovery of a considerable amount of new materialjwhich modifies in many important respects prevailing views as to the origin and early history of American Presbyterianism. He has, therefore, given his authorities very largely in foot-notes and in the Appendix, and by references to material which could not be introduced without overloading the book. No one will rejoice more than the author at the discovery of any material that may have escaped his attention. As he has been obliged by the evidence to change his opinion respecting several parts of the history, he will be ready to modify it still further in the light of additional evidence.

Two maps have been prepared ; the one giving the names of all the settlements in the American colonies where there were Presbyterian churches already organized, or in process of formation at the close of the seventeenth century, at the beginning of the book ; the other giving all the towns mentioned by John Eliot in his Description of New England in 1650, with the letter in Appendix IV.

The author will be grateful if in any way his book

Xii PREFACE.

may stimulate the young ministers of America to historical research in the fields where Providence has placed them. He is convinced that there is still further light to break forth from early MS. records and letters upon the origin and early history of the various Christian Churches of America.

This book was conceived in a catholic spirit and has been written upon a comprehensive plan. The growth of American Presbyterianism through internal and external struggles cannot be understood apart from the religious development of Great Britain. The religious movements in Great Britain were immediately reflected in America. The author has endeavored to trace these movements in their origin in the mother country and their development in the lands of their birth and to follow them across the ocean in their influences upon the young colonial churches.

There are several types of Presbyterianism. It has been our aim to give these adequate representation whenever they came naturally in the line of our investigation. We have not thought it necessary to discuss the different theories of Presbyterianism at the outset. The American Reformed Churches have come into view in their relations to the American Presbyterian Churches of British stock. It was not our purpose to give a history of these Churches. For an adequate history of the Dutch Reformed Church we may refer to Dr. E. T. Corwin's Manual ; and for a thorough study of the French Reformed ministers and Churches, to the History of the Huguenot Emigration to America, by Dr. C. W. Baird, now in press. A satisfactory history of the American German Reformed Church is still a desideratum.

It has also been necessary to discuss the conflicts of Presbyterianism with other religious bodies in Great Britain and America. In all these discussions it has been

PREFACE. xiii

the desire and purpose of the author to be just and kind to all denominations and to all parties. He has not hesitated to condemn error, sin, and partisanship wherever he has found it. Union cannot be purchased at the sacrifice of truth or principle. We have no sympathy with those who magnify differences, nor with those who would reduce them to a minimum. We desire the organic union of all branches of the Presbyterian family in a broad, comprehensive, generous, catholic Presbyterianism. This can never be accomplished by the suppression of differences or by abstinence from their discussion. The liberty and the variety are as important as the unity and the conformity to a common order. True union is the combination of these centripetal and centrifugal forces.

We are also hopeful of a combination of Protestantism and the ultimate reunion of Christendom. We are sincerely attached to American Presbyterianism as the religion of our ancestors — we believe that it is in advance of all other Christian denominations in the realization of the ideal of Christianity ; but Presbyterianism is not a finality. It is the stepping-stone to something higher and grander yet to come, when the Spirit of God shall be poured out in richer measure and in more abounding gifts and graces upon the Christian world, in order to a revival of religion which will transcend the Protestant Reformation by its omnipotent energy and world-wide sweep.

CHAPTER I. The Rise of Presbyterianism in Europe, p. i

I. Presbyterianism and Christianity, p. 5 ; II. Presbyterianism and Catholicity, p. ii ; III. Presbyterianisjn and Orthodoxy, p. 14; IV. Presbyterianism and Protestantism, p. 1 9 ; V. Presbyterianism and Puritanism, p. 26 ; VI. Presbyterianism a7td Prelacy, p. 40.

Chapter II

The Struggle of Presbyterianism for Supremacy in Great Britain, p. 48.

I. William Laud, dictator of the British Churches, "p. ^o\ II. The Solemn League and Covenant, p. 55; III. The Westminster Assembly, p. 61 ; IV. The Provincial Assembly of London, p. 68 ; V. Presbyterianism and Independency, p. 73 ; VI. Presbyterianis7n and Episcopacy, p. 79.

CHAPTER III. The Rise of Presbyterianism in America, p. 87

I. Presbyterianism in the Bermudas, p. 88 ; II. In New England, p. 92; III. In New York, p. 99 ; IV. In Maryland and Virginia, p. 109; V. In New Jersey,^. 121 ; VI. In Pennsylvania and Delaware, p. 123 ; VII. In South Carolina, p. 127.

CHAPTER IV. The Presbytery of Philadelphia, 1706-1716, p. 132

I. The Presbyterian Missionary Societies, -p. 132; II. The Episcopal Missionary Societies, p. 136; III. The Orgajtization of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, '^. 139; IV. The St rtiggle of Presbyterianism with Episcopacy in New York, p. 143 ; V. The Growth of the Presbytery, p. 158; VI. The Presbytery aided from Great Britain, p. 161.

(XV)

xyj CONTENTS.

Chapter V

The Synod of Philadelphia, 171 7-1 729, p. 174.

I. The Synod's " Fund for Pious Uses," p. 174; II. The Puritans of New York and New Jersey unite with the Synod, p. 1 76 ;

III. Large accession of Irish Presbyterians, p. 184; IV. Recruits from England and Scotland, p. 191 ; V. The Subscript tion Controversy in Great Britain, p. 194; VI. The Subscription Controversy in the Synod of Philadelphia, p. 208 ; VII. The Adopting Act, p. 216.

CHAPTER VI. American Presbyterianism Divided, p. 222

I. The Division of Presbyteria7iis7n in Carolina, p. 222 ; II. In New Engla?td, p. 228; III. The First Heresy Trial, p. 230;

IV. The Struggle for strict Subscription, p. 235 ; V. The Rise of Methodisjn, p. 238 ; VI. The Struggle for a Godly Ministry, p. 242 ; VII. The Great Awakening, p. 250 ; VIII. The Rupture of the Synod, p. 261.

CHAPTER VII. The Several Types of American Presbyterianism, p. 273

I. The Covenajiters in America, p. 272 ; II. The Burger and Anti- Burger Presbyterians in America, p. 276 ; III. The Ujtion of British, Dutch, and German Presbyterianism Frustrated, p. 284 ; IV. Extension of Presbyteriajiism into Virginia and North Carolina, p. 289 ; V. Missioits amotig the American Indians, p. 297 ; VI. The Establishjnent of Presbyterian Institutions of Learning, p. 304; VII. Institutions of Learning among the Reformed Churches, p. 311 ; VIII. The Growth of the Synods from 174.2-17 ^g, p. 313.

Chapter VIII

I. The Plan of Union, p. 318 ; II. Missionary E?tte?'prises, p. 322 ; III. Growth in the Southern Colonies, p. 328 ; IV. In the Middle Colonies, p. 330 ; V. In New England, p. 334 ; VI. Efforts for Union with the Seceders, p. 338; VII. The Reunion of the Refor?ned Churches, p. 341.

CONTENTS. xvii

CHAPTER IX. Presbyterianism and the American Revolution, p. 344

I. The Presbyterians engage in the Struggle for American Independence, p. 347 ; II. The Presbyteria7i gain a?td loss by the Revoliitio7i, p. 352 ; III. Efforts to tmite the Presbyteriajt and Reformed Churches, p. 357 ; IV. The Organization of the General Assembly, p. 362.

THE APPENDIX.

I. The Book of Discipline of the Elizabethan Presbyterians, p. i.

II. Archbishop Usshers Reduction of Episcopacy under the form of Synodical Government, p. xvii.

III. Presbyteria7tism in New England in the seventeenth

century, p. xxiii.

IV. Johti Eliofs Description of New England in 1650,

p. xxix.

V. The New England Company, p. xxxvi.

VI. Order for the Reinstatemejtt of Thomas Harrison, p. xl. VII. Matthew Hill's Certificate of Ordination, p. xl. VIII. Matthew Hill's Letter to Richard Baxter, 1669, p. xli. IX. The Early Life and Training of pyancis Makemie,

p. xliv.

X. Letters of Francis Makemie, p. xlv.

Xl. A Further Account of Benfajnin Woodbridge, with his

Letter from Portsmouth, N. H., 1690, p. 1.

XII. Ninian BeaVs Deed of Land for the Patuxent Church, p. Hi.

XIII. Separatioji of the Baptists fro7n the Presbyterians in

Philadelphia, 1698, p. liv.

XIV. The Londo7t General Fu7id of 1690, p. Ivi. XV. The Dublin General Fu7td, p. lix.

XVI. The Society for Pro7noti7ig Christ ia7t K7iowledge, p. Ix.

Xviii CONTENTS.

XVII. Joseph Morgan's Letter of iJiZ, p. Ixi. XVIII. The Puritan Churches of New York at the beginning of the eighteenth century, p. Ixiv.

XIX. PresbyteriaJtisin in South Carolina at the beginning of

the eighteenth century, p. Ixvii.

XX. Letters of James Anderson, p. Ixx.

XXI. Letter of George McNish, 171 8, p. Ixxxiii. XXII. Letter of George Gillespie, 1723, p. Ixxxiv.

XXIII. Letter of Willia^n Steward, 1726, p. Ixxxvi.

XXIV. Letter of Alexa7tder Hucheson, 1724, p. Ixxxvii. XXV. Charges against Professor Simson, p. Ixxxviii.

XXVI. Certificate of the Ordination of Nathan Bassett, p. Ixxxix. XXVII. The Protestation presented to the Synod of Philadelphia

in 1 74 1, p. xc.

XXVIII. Letter of the Synod of Philadelphia to President Clap, p. xcvii.

XXIX. Act for a Collection for the College of New Jersey, p. ci.

XXX. Action of the Church of Scotland for the help of the German Reforined Churches of Pennsylvania, p. civ. XXXI. The Plan of Union, 1758, p. cviii.

XXXII. The Collections in Scotland for the poor and distressea Presbyterian tninisters in Pennsylvania, p. cxii. XXXIII. Correspondence between the Synod of New York and Philadelphia^ and the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 1770, p. cxix.

Chapter I. The Rise Of Presbyterianism In Europe

Presbyterianism is a system of church government by presbyters. It is thereby distinguished from the other systems of church government, the papal, the prelatical, the consistorial, and the congregational. In the papal system, the authority over the church is in the Roman Catholic hierarchy, culminating in the pope at Rome. In the prelatical system the government of the church is in the hands of prelates, or diocesan bishops. This is the method of the Greek and other Oriental Churches, of the Church of England, and of her daughters. Several varieties of this system are found in different lands and in the successive periods of history. The consistorial system was adopted by the most of the churches of the Lutheran Reformation. These churches were governed by consistories appointed by the princes or other civil authorities. The congregational system lodges the government of the church in the congregation itself, which is composed of a number of believers associated '^ by way of a church covenant." This method makes every congregation independent in its government ; the churches are associated only for advice, and co-operation in public affairs. In the presbyterian system all ecclesiastical authority is in the body of presbyters, called by Christ and ordained by presbyters to rule over the church. These presbyters are associated for the purposes of government in congregational Presbyteries, classical Presby= teries, provincial Synods, national Assemblies, and oecumenical Councils. The larger bodies are superior in authority to the smaller, in an ascending grade.

Presbyterianism does not claim that the presbyters of any branch of the Church of Christ have the exclusive authority over the church. It recognizes the ordained presbyters of the congregational and consistorial systems. It recognizes that the pope and the prelates are presbyters, but declines to recognize them as of a higher order than presbyters. For presbyters are the genuine bishops of the New Testament, and the true apostolic succession is in the presbyters who have been ordained by the apostles and their successors from the foundations of the Christian Church until the present time. This was admirably set forth by the Provincial Assembly of London in 1654 :

" Ordination is an act of office received from Christ, and is not Antichristian, though executed by one that is in other things Antichristian. We do not re-baptize them that were baptized by a popish priest, because the power of God's ordinance depends not on the person that does execute the same, but upon an higher foundation, the institution of Christ. Ministerial acts are not vitiated or made null, though they passe through the hands of bad men ; but stand good to all intents and purposes to such as receive them aright, by vertue of their office authoritatively derived from the first institution. A Bishop in his Presbyterial capacity hath divine right to ordain, and therefore his ordination is valid, though it be granted that he is Antichristian in his Episcopal capacity." ( The Divine Right of the Gospel-Ministry, London, 1654. II., p. 29.)

" We say that ordination of ministers by ministers is no Romish institution, but instituted by the Lord Jesus himself long before Antichrist was ; that our ministry is descended to us from Christ through the Apostate Church of Rome, but not from the Apostate Church of Rojne." II., p. 33. " It is certain that the Church of Rojne was a true church in the apostles' days, when the faith of it was spread throughout the world, and it is as certain that afterwards, by little and little, it spostatized, till at last Antichrist set up his throne in that church. And yet still we must distinguish between the church and the apostasie of it ; between the corn and the tares that are in it." II., p. 38. " When the Protestant Churches did separate they did not erect a new church, but reformed a corrupt church. And, therefore, ours is called the Protestant Reformed Religion." II., p. 40. " It hath pleased God out of his infinite wisdom and providence to continue the two great ordinances of baptism and ordination sound for the substantials of them in the Church oi Rome, even in their greatest apostacy. We deny not but they have been exceedingly bemuddled and corrupted. Baptism, with very many superstitious ceremonies, as of oyl, spittle, crossings, etc. ; Ordination, with giving power to the party ordained to make the body of Christ, etc. But yet the substantials have been preserved. Children were baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. And the parties ordained had power given them to Preach the Word of God. Now the Protestant Religion doth not teach us to renounce Baptism received in the Church of Rome, neither is a Papist, when converted Protestant, re-baptized. Nor doth it teach us simply and absolutely to renounce ordination ; but it deals with it as the jewes were to do with a captive maid when they had a mind to marrie her. They must shave her head and pare her nailes and put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and then take her to wife. So doth the Protestant Reformed Religion. It distinguisheth between the ordinances of God and the corruptions cleaving unto the ordinances. It washeth away all the defilements and pollutions contracted in the Church of Rome, both from Baptism and Ordination, but it doth not renounce either the one or the other." II., p. 41. "Our ministry is derived to us from Christ and his apostles by succession of a ministry continued in the church for 1,600 years. We have (i) a lineal succession from Christ and his Apostles ; (2) not onely a lineal succession, but that w^hich is more, and without which the lineal is of no benefit, we have a doctrinal succession also." II., p. 45.

Every denomination of Christians is under some one of these systems of church government ; but it is only in Great Britain and her colonies that the divisions of Christ's Church are distinguished by names which indicate their church polity. This is owing to the conflicts of British Christianity in the seventeenth century. The Reformed Churches of the continent of Europe and their daughters in America employ the Presbyterian form of government no less than the British Presbyterian Churches ; but they prefer the name Reformed, which indicates their type of doctrine. The Presbyterian form of government has also been adopted by the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, by the Evangelical Churches of Germany, and by other religious bodies, which differ from the Presbyterian Churches in many important particulars. Presbyterian, under present circumstances, is a very inadequate term to characterize the Churches which bear the name ; for Presbyterianism is vastly more than a system of church government : it embraces distinguishing features of doctrine, worship, and life.

There are several phases of Presbyterianism, a number of different types of the general system. It is necessary to keep this distinctly in mind, for there is a constant tendency in particular types and special phases to claim exclusive rights and privileges. It is important to distinguish the essential features of the Presbyterian family from the peculiarities which belong to particular lands and special denominations and parties. It is not uncommon, in the stress of controversy, to see the merely accidental and occasional features of an aggressive party assume the place of the essential features which belong to the whole family. There are features which determine all genuine Presbyterianism, and there are types which are the complements of one another as the legitimate children of the Presbyterian family. It is wrong to disregard the unity in the essential features. It is also wrong to neglect the variety in the several legitimate types of the children of Presbyterianism.

Presbyterianism belongs to the modern age of the world, to the British type of Protestantism ; but it is not a departure from the Christianity of the ancient and mediaeval Church. It is rather the culmination of the development of Christianity from the times of the apostles until the present day. It comprehends the genuine Christianity of all ages. It conserves all the achievements of the Christian Church. It leads the van of the advancing host of God. It makes steady progress towards the realization of the ideal of Christianity in the golden age of the Messiah.

I. — PRESBYTERIANISM AND CHRISTIANITY.

Presbyterian ism is pre-eminently Christian. It maintains that all religion, doctrines, and morals should be rooted in the Christianity of Christ and his apostles. It is not sufficient that, with the Roman Catholic, there should be an appeal to the authority of the Church of Rome. The authority of the ante-Nicene Church is not decisive to the Presbyterian as it is to the Anglo-Catholic. The Presbyterian presses back, with the Reformers, to Christ and the New Testament for the only infaUible authority for doctrine and practice.