Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.—2 Thess 2.15
"Whereas, It is the province and indispensable duty of this Synod,
when society is in a state of agitation as at present, to know the signs
of the times, and what Israel ought to do; and whereas, it is also the
duty of this Synod, to testify in behalf of truth; to condemn sin and testify
against those who commit it; to acquaint our people with their danger,
and search into the causes of God's controversy with them and with us;
and whereas, it is the duty of Synod further, to point out to the people
of God the course
to be pursued, that divine judgments may be averted or removed - therefore
Resolved,
"1. That uniting with, or inducing to fellowship, by the members
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the voluntary and irresponsible
associations of the day - composed of persons of all religious professions
and of no profession - be condemned, as unwarranted by the word of God,
the subordinate standards of the church, and the practice of our covenanted
fathers.
"2. That an inquiry be instituted, in order to ascertain the
grounds of the Lord's controversy with us, in the sins of omission and
commission wherewith we are chargeable in our ecclesiastical relations.[1]
"3. That the sins thus ascertained be confessed, mourned over,
and forsaken, and our engagement to the contrary duties be renewed; that
the Lord may return, be entreated of his people, and leave a blessing behind
him." [2]
This paper was, on motion, instantly "laid on the
table;" and when at a subsequent sitting of the court, it was regularly
called up for action, it was again and finally "laid on the table." Ever
since, that paper has been diligently misrepresented, as consisting of
the first resolution only, contrary to the evidence on its own face; and
many similar misrepresentations have been long circulated by the backsliding
majority. Those members of Synod who had opposed innovations and defections,
resided so far apart (hundreds of miles), that they had no opportunities
for consultation or concerted action, except at the meeting of Synod. A
few of them,
however, after the final adjournment, came together from their lodgings
in the adjacent cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. When met, it appeared
that, without pre-concert, they were unanimous in judgment, that, all legal
means having failed to reclaim their backsliding brethren, their present
duty was to assume a position independent of existing organizations, that
they might, untrammeled, carry out practically their covenanted testimony.
Accordingly, two ministers and three ruling elders did proceed to constitute
the Reformed Presbytery, in the city of Allegheny, June 24th, 1840, as
the following document bears: -
We, the undersigned, ministers and elders of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church in North America, familiar with, and having long witnessed declension
in the aforesaid church, and employed all other scriptural means to stay
its progress without effect: Also recognizing the claims of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and of all such as desire to be faithful; compassionating the condition
of those who, by unholy confederacies, are still "entangled in the wilderness:"
considering the necessities of others, who, to maintain a good conscience,
have been constrained to unite in the "Safety League," which covers the
whole ground of our covenanted system: - Do now, trusting to the faithfulness
of the God of our fathers, and relying on the strength of promised grace;
after the example of the venerable Rev. William Gibson, who "kept the faith,"
- enter and record our solemn protestation against the aforesaid church,
because she has corrupted the doctrines and worship, and prostituted the
government and discipline of the house of God; and we do hereby decline
the authority of all her judicatories. We acknowledge the supreme authority
of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of his church; the binding
obligation of the solemn deeds of our covenanted forefathers - resting
upon our souls, by our own, voluntary engagements, viz: besides the word
of God, the Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechisms, larger and shorter,
the Directory for Worship, as they were received by the Church of Scotland
in her purest times, i.e. between the years 1638 and 49 inclusive, the
Covenants, National and Solemn League, Reformation Principles Exhibited,
in agreeableness to the aforesaid Standards; together with the faithful
contendings of our covenanted fathers: in a word - all the documents contemplated,
regarded, and as engaged unto in the Terms of Ecclesiastical Communion
in the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
In virtue of, and in accordance with, the aforesaid principles
and declarations, we unite and agree to continue a Presbytery.
Done in Allegheny Town,
June 27th, 1840
[2] This document is thus inserted entire, in perpetuam
rei memoriam, and as a summary of the numerous papers from ministers, elders,
and members, which had been presented to the several judicatories during
the preceding seven years!