USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 30
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may speedily return to the church of their preference and affection." Here is an acknowledgment that the Assembly did advise the mi- nisters and churches of these Synods, if they were strictly Presby- terian, to break away from their connexion, and unite themselves with the General Assembly. The language of the resolution, how- ever, is the language of authority, claiming jurisdiction ; the Assem- bly directs. As an authoritative order it was viewed by the Com- missioners from the exscinded Synods. In their Protest they say, " The last resolution in the category directs Presbyteries, ministers, and churches, to detach themselves from the bodies with which they are now connected and apply for admission into the nearest Presbyteries of the Presbyterian church ; thus attempting to exer- cise authority over bodies already declared not to be constituent portions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and to disturb their order and peace. As an authoritative direction it was understood by some ministers, who, without giving any notice to the Presbyteries with which they were connected, united them- selves with an Old School Presbytery, and justified themselves on the ground that they were obeying the order of the General As- sembly. But understanding it in the language of advice, was there a propriety in giving advice under the circumstances ? Those to whom the advice was tendered, were, according to the position as- sumed by the Assembly, without their jurisdiction, and holding no particular relation to them. They belonged, by their own volun- tary act, to ecclesiastical bodies, acknowledged by that General Assembly to be ' independent bodies, standing on their own ground, and free to choose their future connexions.' They then, according to the ground taken by the Assembly, were ecclesiastical organiza- tions, as distinct from, and independent of the church represented by the General Assembly, as any other ecclesiastical organization in the United States. Would it be proper for the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian church, in solemn meeting, to pass a reso- lution like the following, viz .- ' Inasmuch as there are reported to be several ministers now in connexion with one or more of the Associations connected with the General Association of the State of Connecticut, who are strictly Presbyterian in doctrine and order, therefore, resolved, that all such ministers as wish to unite with us, are hereby directed to apply for admission into those Presbyteries which are most convenient to their respective locations ?' Would not such a resolution be looked upon as an impertinent interference with the relations of an independent church, and are not the cases parallel ?"
But this was not the only quarter from whence the integrity of the exscinded ecclesiastical bodies was assailed. The General Association of Congregational Ministers in the State of New York, at their meeting held August 24th, 1837, in an ad- dress to all ministers, churches, and Christians, who were of the
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same faith and order with them, throughout the State, endeavor to persuade the ministers and churches having a predilection for the Congregational mode of church government, to secede from the Presbyteries with which they were connected, and to unite with them. In their address they draw a contrast between Congrega- tionalism and Presbyterianism, endeavoring to show the incongruity of the one with the other, to the extent that it was impossible for churches of the two denominations to unite in one ecclesiastical organization ; and that every attempt to unite the two denomina- tions had proved a signal failure. They then advert to the acts of the General Assembly, abrogating the Plan of Union, and declar- ing the Synods of Utica, Geneva, and Genesee, to be no longer connected with the Presbyterian Church. Having thus paved the way, they proceeded, in direct terms, to the proposition. They say, " We see in the late proceedings the hand of God, by which, without any breach of faith or order on their part, the Congrega- tionalists of this State, who have heretofore been under the super- vision of the. Presbyterian General Assembly, are fully released from all their obligations to. that body, except by those bonds by which we are allied to all who love our Lord. We cannot but regard this event as placing the Congregational Ministers and churches who have heretofore adopted the Plan of Union, in a new position, which calls them to a careful and fearless inquiry after the path of their duty. Under these circumstances, the General Association, representing the body of Associated Congregational Ministers and Churches in the State of New York, feel themselves called upon to speak, frankly and kindly, their own convictions as to the course which ought to be taken by those portions of the excluded Synods who are Congregationalists in principle,-We, therefore, earnestly advise Congregationalists throughout the State, not to participate in any party strifes or measures in the General Assembly, with which we have none of us, now, any ecclesiastical connexion. We cannot see why we should sacrifice our principles, our peace, our interests, and our usefulness, in efforts to strengthen Presbyterianism in any form, when we regard the system itself as a usurpation of powers, which our Lord has committed to the churches alone. We also invite you to look seriously and candidly into the question, whether a conscientious adherence to our principles does not require you to return at once to the simple institutions of our fathers. A good conscience can never be satisfied with practices so much at variance with its own acknowledged principles, as is Presbyterian government with the views of enlightened Congre- gationalists. Without judging of past times, we are free to say, that the attendance on our present meetings, the spirit of our pro- ceedings, and the information brought up by the brethren from all parts of the State, prove abundantly the practicability of extending an organization strictly Congregational, to embrace all the churches
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and ministers in our borders, who agree with us in doctrine and discipline. How agreeable would be the sight, and how much the prosperity of Congregational churches, the peace of Zion, and the power of religion would be promoted by such an arrangement, we leave you to judge."
Thus attempts were made from very different quarters to dis- unite and divide the ministers and churches of the exscinded Sy- nods ; but, as it respects the two Synods of Western New York particularly, they were nearly abortive. A few ministers and churches left their Presbyteries, and connected themselves with an Old School Presbytery, or a Congregational Association, but the instances were rare. In this crisis of affairs, a circular, signed by Dr. Richards and others, was issued, inviting a convention of ministers and lay delegates to be appointed by the Presbyteries of the four exscinded Svnods, the third Presbytery of Philadelphia, and such others as sympathized with them, to meet at Auburn, at the period of the anniversary of the Theological Seminary in that village, for the purpose of consultation on the course proper to be pursued under the peculiar circumstances in which the Presby- terian Church was thrown by the late acts of the General Assem- bly. In accordance with this invitation, the Convention met in the first Presbyterian church in Auburn, August 17th, 1837, and was temporarily organized by appointing Dr. Richards chairman, read- ing the 80th and 46th Psalms by Dr. Patton of New York, and prayer by Dr. McAuley of New York. One hundred and fifty- five commissioners, clerical and lay, appeared with regular com- missions from the following Presbyteries, viz. Watertown, Oswego, Oneida, Otsego, Geneva, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tioga, Cortland, Delaware, Chemung, Bath, Ontario, Rochester, Genesee, Angelica, Niagara, Buffalo, Grand River, Portage, Huron, Trumbull, Cleve- land, Lorain, Newark, Montrose, third of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Columbia, New York third, West Hanover, Cincinnati, and Mau- mee. Fourteen ministers without commissions from the Presby- teries of St. Lawrence, Chenango, Champlain, Troy, New York, New York second, North River, Ohio, Cincinnati, Athens, Illinois, Alton, and St. Louis, were, by a vote of the Convention, made members in full. On the nomination of a committee appointed for the purpose, the persons whose names follow were appointed offi- cers of the Convention :---
Rev. James Richards, D.D., of Auburn, President.
Rev. James H. Hotchkin, of Campbell, N. Y., )
Rev. Joseph Penny, D.D., of Clinton, N. Y., Vice-Presidents.
Hon. Henry Brown, of Brownhelm, Ohio, Hon. B. P. Johnson, of Rome, N. Y.,
Rev. Tryon Edwards, of Rochester, N. Y.,
E. W. Chester, Esq., of Cincinnati, Ohio,
Secretaries.
/
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THE EXSCINDING ACT.
The Convention continued its sessions during Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and the succeeding Monday. All the proceedings of the Convention were marked by deliberation, calmness, and decision, and, what is peculiarly noticeable, every resolution was passed with entire unanimity. Among the resolutions passed by the Conven- tion, the following may be deemed worthy of record, viz.
" Resolved, That, in the judgment of this Convention, the acts of the last General Assembly, declaring the Synods of Western Re- serve, Utica, Geneva, and Genesee not to be constituent parts of the Presbyterian Church, on the ground that their connexion was dependent on the Plan of Union of 1801, and upon charges vague and unsupported, were unconstitutional ; and, therefore, in the opinion .of this Convention, null and void.
" Resolved, That the action of all the judicatories ought to be directed to the preservation of the union and integrity of the Pres- byterian Church, on the principles of good faith, brotherly kind- ness, and the constitution.
" Resolved, In accordance with these principles, that it be recom- mended to the Synods declared to be exscinded, with their Presby- teries, and churches, to retain their present organization and con- nexion without seeking any other ; and that the Presbyteries send their commissioners to the next General Assembly as usual.
" Resolved, That a committee be appointed to correspond, and confer on the general state of the church, and to take measures to secure the ends proposed by this Convention, as expressed in the foregoing resolutions."
Rev. Drs. James Richards and Luther Halsey, Rev. Messrs. P. C. Hay, Seth Smith, Levi Parsons, Josiah Hopkins, L. E. Lathrop, and Henry Dwight, and Hiram F. Mather, Esq., D. W. Forman, Esq., and Pliny Dickinson, Esq., were appointed this com- mittee.
A committee of which Hon. William Jessup of Pennsylvania was chairman, was appointed to draft the reasons on which the Conven- tion passed the first of these resolutions. A committee also was appointed to draft a letter to the judicatories, ministers, and mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, in relation to the unhappy circumstances in which a portion of the church was placed by the late action of the General Assembly. Of this com- mittee, Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher was chairman. Another com- mittee, of which Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Cox was chairman, was ap- pointed to draw up an expression of the opinion of the Convention touching the rights of members of the Presbyterian Church, as ministers and private members ; the manner in which these rights are guaranteed and guarded, and in which they may become im- paired, forfeited, or taken away. Another committee, Rev. Dr. Luther Halsey chairman, was appointed to draft a Summary of Doctrine, as believed and maintained by that portion of the church,
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declared by the late General Assembly not to be a constituent part of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Also a committee to draw up a statement of facts in relation to the formation and character of the churches within the bounds of the Synods declared to be exscinded. Of this committee Rev. Stephen Peet was chair- man. These committees presented able reports on the several sub- jects assigned them, which were unanimously adopted, and pub- lished with the Minutes of the Convention. Of the report on Doc- trine, we have already, in another place, given the principal part. The other reports, though valuable documents, are too long to insert here. The Convention recommended to the churches represented in the meeting, and all other churches that should be disposed to unite with them, the observance of a day of united fasting, humilia- tion, and prayer, in view of the then present divided state of the Presbyterian Church, and the low state of religion in the country. They passed resolutions providing for the publication of the mi- nutes, and dissolved the meeting with singing the 133d psalm, prayer, and the apostolic benediction by the venerable president, Dr. Richards.
Many of the members of this Convention came to the meeting with fear and trembling. They apprehended that a great diversity of sentiment respecting the course proper to be pursued in the pre- sent crisis would be found to prevail, and that it would be found impossible so to harmonize the minds of the members, as to bring them with any good degree of unanimity to adopt any plan. When the second and third of the resolutions mentioned above, were laid before the Convention by the business committee, a long and animated discussion took place, and much diversity of opinion was manifested. The feelings of many of the members were most in- tense, and many spoke on the subject with much earnestness. All, however, manifested a strong desire for union, and all the speeches were characterized by that spirit of mutual affection and esteem, which wins the heart. Drs. Lyman Beecher and Thomas M'Auley. spoke with their accustomed power, and with the ordinary effect in producing conviction. The observations of Dr. Hillyer of New Jersey were characterized by his ordinary good sense and sound judgment, and were heard with profound attention ; and when the vote was taken, and it was found that the resolutions had passed unanimously, tears of joy coursed down his venerable cheeks. The Convention, for a short time, suspended business, and offered solemn thanks to Almighty God for the entire unanimity with which these resolutions had been adopted.
The result of this Convention decided the course for Synods and Presbyteries to pursue. Its advice was generally approved by those who were connected with the exscinded Synods. All the Presbyteries of these Synods, with the exception of Oswego and St. Lawrence, sent their commissioners, as usual, to the General
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Assembly of 1838. On the presentation of their commissions to the clerks of the Assembly, they were rejected, and at the opening of the Assembly, after the roll of members had been read by the clerk, Rev. Dr. Erskine Mason offered a resolution, " That the Roll be now completed by adding the names of all the Commissioners now present from the several Presbyteries within the bounds of the Synods of Utica, Geneva, Genesee, and the Western Reserve," stating that the Commissioners from these Presbyteries had offered their commissions to the clerks, who had refused to receive them. The moderator said they could not be received. Dr. Mason then formally tendered the commissions, and demanded that the names of the Commissioners should be put upon the roll. The resolution was seconded, but it was declared out of order by the moderator. An appeal was taken from the decision of the moderator ; but he refused to put the appeal. An organization of an Assembly, claiming to be " The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America," by the election of Rev. Samuel Fisher, D.D., as Moderator, Rev. Erskine Mason, D.D., Stated Clerk, and Rev. E. W. Gilbert, Permanent Clerk, then took place. The Assembly thus organized immediately adjourned to the Lec- ture Room of the first Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. By this act the Presbyterian Church became divided into two distinct organizations, each claiming to be " The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America." The merits of this claim in favor of either party. it is not the province of this history to discuss. Both of the bodies are large, and respectable. The new school church, represented by the Assembly of which Dr. Fisher was moderator, and with which the churches of Western New York generally are connected, consisted, in 1846, of twenty Synods, em- bracing one hundred and five Presbyteries, one thousand, four hun- dred and thirty ministers, one hundred and fifty-one licentiates, and one thousand, five hundred and eighty-one churches. The num- ber of communicants reported was one hundred and forty-five thousand, four hundred and sixteen. From many churches the number of communicants was not reported, and the number stated above is far less than the true number. It is somewhat singular, that the number of ministers and licentiates united, precisely equals the number of churches.
The ministers and churches in Western New York, generally, have continued with their Presbyteries and Synods, and cordially co-operate with the New School part of the church. A few have seceded, and connected themselves with Congregational organi- zations, or, perhaps, stand as independent Congregational churches. In August, 1837, four ministers and one or two churches from different Presbyteries in Western New York, united themselves with the Old School Presbytery of Susquehannah. This laid the foundation for the organization of an Old School Presbytery wholly
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within the limits of Western New York. This Presbytery has since increased in the number of ministers and churches, and by division has become three Presbyteries, viz. The Presbytery of Steuben, the Presbytery of Wyoming, and the Presbytery of Buffalo City, which together had in 1846, an aggregate of thirty ministers, and twenty-two churches numbering, according to the report made to the General Assembly, one thousand six hundred and fifty-two communicants. These Presbyteries, together with that of Ogdens- burgh, which consists of six ministers and seven churches, consti- tute the Synod of Buffalo. Of the ministers, a large proportion of them were formerly members of some of the New School Presby- teries, some of whom left their former connexion without notice, and some received regular dismissions on application, or gave notice of their secession in a friendly way. Of the churches, some of them were formerly connected with a New School Presbytery; others were constituted by a secession from a New School church. The division of churches has been, in some instances, a painful circumstance. The original church, perhaps, was but just able to support the institutions of the gospel ; and, by a division, two weak churches have been made, neither of which is, without missionary aid, able to support a minister. Such divisions usually excite strong and lasting feelings of dislike, arising many times to bitterness, in the opposing parties, and producing very unchristian acts in the parties towards each other. Such has to some extent been the case in Western New York, as the consequence of the division of the Presbyterian Church, and especially when a particular church has been divided. We are happy, however, to be able to say, that these unholy feelings appear to have subsided. Ministers and churches of both parties feel less alienated from each other, and disposed to esteem and treat each other as fellow-heirs of the grace of God.
Since the exscinding act of 1837, the New School Presbyterian Church in Western New York has been, in general, in a prosperous state. By comparing the reports made to the General Assembly in 1837, with those of 1846, it appears that two Presbyteries had been added to the former number ; the number of ministers was increased by thirty-four ; the number of licentiates connected with the Synod of Geneva was greater by six than the number connected with both Synods in 1837, the Synod of Genesee making in 1846 no report of licentiates ; the number of churches had increased only three, while the number of communicants in the churches was greater by more than nine thousand.
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CHAPTER XX.
Course of Congregational Ministers and Churches after the Dissolution of the Asso- ciations. Rev. John Taylor. Genesee Consociation : the Monroe Association : the Consociation of Western New York. Attention paid by the New School Churches to the Benevolent Enterprises of the day. Home Missions : Foreign Missions : Bible Societies : Cayuga Bible Society : Female Bible Society of Geneva ; Cort- land Female Bible Society : other Societies Auxiliary to the American Bible So- ciely : the Monroe County Bible Society. Education of Poor and Pious Youth for the Ministry : Recommendations of the General Assembly on this Subject. Action of the Presbyteries. Western Education Society : Tract Societies : Tract Distri- bution, Colporteurs. Sabbath Schools: Genesee Sabbath School Union: County Unions. Sabbath School Statistics for 1833.
WE have in a former chapter noticed the dissolution of the On- tario Association in the month of May, 1813, and of the Union Association in February, 1822. After the dissolution of the On- tario Association, no organized body of Congregational ministers and churches existed for a number of years, in that part of West- ern New York which lies west of the eastern line of the Military Tract. A few of the churches attached to the Congregational form of church government remained in a state of independence. The same was true with respect to two or three ministers. Most of the ministers, however, united with the Presbytery, adopting the Confession of Faith and Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church, as directed in the Book of Discipline. Most of the churches united with the Presbytery, some adopting the Presby- terian form of Government in full, others uniting on what was called, " the accommodating Plan." Confident expectations were entertained that entire harmony between Presbyterian and Con- gregational Churches would prevail, and that their entire energies might be directed to the building up of the church of Christ, and not be spent in comparatively trivial controversy about the ex- ternals of religion. For a season these expectations seemed in a good measure to be realized. Ministers and licentiates generally, who came from Congregational bodies, were willing to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and most of the new churches formed, were formed on the Presbyterian platform. This, how- ever, was not universally the case. Some ministers who came in- to the country from the New England States, brought with them strong predilections for the form of Congregational church govern- ment in all its extent ; and, of course, a strong dislike to any amalgamation with Presbyterians. They represented the liberties of the churches as being in danger through the influences of Pres-
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byterianism. On the other hand, one or two of the ministers of the Presbytery were never cordial in admitting churches into the Presbyterian connexion, which retained, in any degree, the con- gregational mode of church government. Hence unpleasant bickerings would sometimes take place, and jealousies were pro- moted.
About the year 1817, or perhaps a little earlier, Rev. John Taylor, from Deerfield (Mass.), came into the country, and locat- ed himself at Mendon, in the county of Ontario. He was a man somewhat past the middle age of life, and had been for many years pastor of the Congregational Church of Deerfield. He was a gen- tleman of high respectability, of good reputation as a Christian minister, of finished education for the times, and of more than or- dinary capacity. He was in this way prepared to have a very considerable influence among ministers, and over the churches and community. Mr. Taylor was rigidly a Congregationalist in his sentiments and feelings, and looked upon the Presbyterian form of church government as an unhallowed usurpation of authority over the heritage of God. Through his influence, in a great measure, Congregationalism was revived, and an organization of Congrega- tional ministers and churches formed, denominated, The Genesee Consociation. This organization took place, as the writer believes, in 1818. The Consociation has at some periods embraced a con- siderable number of ministers and churches ; but has of late years gone much to decay, having lost its character for orthodoxy, and having, on account of its heterodox character, been excluded from the General Association of the State. It now numbers a few ministers and churches, but exerts only a small measure of influ- ence in ecclesiastical affairs, not being recognised as an orthodox body by either Congregationalists or Presbyterians.
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