Harmony being again restored between the Presbytery and the Synod, the former having received additional strength by the accession of the Synod's missionaries, its prosperity and that of the congregations under its charge, seemed to progress with accelerated steps. So much had the Presbytery increased, that in May, 1776, it was agreed to divide it into two; several of the members being settled in the Province of NewYork, and the means of intercourse between distant places being then attended with much loss of time, and expenditure of money, were also considerations increasing the necessity of a division.

The whole Presbytery at that time consisted of thirteen ministers, scattered through Pennsylvania and New-York. Those ministers residing in Pennsylvania remained in the Presbytery of Pennsylvania. Those in New-York were sct off for a new Presbytery, which was called the Presbytery of New-York. The former consisted of the following members, viz: Messrs. James Proudfit, Matthew Henderson, William Marshall, John Rodger, John Smith, James Clarkson, William Logan, and John Murray, together with a Mr. James Martin, and Mr. Andrew Patten.

The Presbytery of New-York was composed of the following members, viz: Messrs. John Mason, Thomas Clark and Robert Annan.*

It was agreed that the two Presbyteries should keep up a correspondence with each other. This appears to have been the only terms upon which they proposed to maintain their unity.. However honest all the members were in this matter, it was evidently a great and unhappy departure from those Presbyterian principles, which the whole body professed, and by which alone the visible unity and communion of the church can be preserved. By a division of the Presbytery upon this principle, each Presbytery became a distinct and independent judicature. The one having no right to review the deeds of the other, they might pursue different and even opposite courses from each other, as the event soon demonstrated. Had they divided into three Presbyteries, as they might conveniently have done, and then met together in Synod, (and this Synod again subordinate to a general Synod) where the proceedings of each Presbytery could have been reviewed, and to which appeals could have been made, the true Presbyterian principle would have been maintained as both Presbyteries were, however, to remain subordinate to the As

* Marshall's Life, page 16.

sociate Synod in Scotland, the members doubtless believed that no other connection than the friendly correspondence they proposed, was necessary for maintaining the scriptural unity of the visible church; but the impracticability of carrying up appeals to a judicature, situated at so great a distance and of having the minutes of each Presbytery regularly reviewed, seems not to have been duly considered.

In reviewing this part of the history of the Associate Church, we think we can trace many of the unhappy divisions that have since taken place, to this step of the Presbytery; and the reflection presses itself upon us, that, when the people of God step aside from the prescribed path of duty, the great Shepherd and Bishop of their souls may sometimes permit them to wander far and long, before he brings them back.

When these two Presbyteries divided, more than half a century since, they were united in sentiment, in doctrine, in discipline and in affection; but the division was the beginning of a separation, which soon disrupted the bonds of brotherhood; and a train of evils ensued, which nearly annihilated in America, that cause, which all had been apparently most cordially "striving together" to maintain.

CHAPTER II.

Union proposed between the Reformed Presbytery and the Associate Presbytery-Conference on the subject at Donegal, in 1777-And at Pequa, in 1778--Mr. Murray's Overture--Presbytery and Conference at Middle Octorara--Diversity of opinion on the subjects discussed-Propositions drawn up for future consideration-Meeting of Presbytery at Big Spring, at which other propositions were drawn up-And to which a representation and petition was sent, expressing dissatisfaction with the Union-Conference at Pequa, June, 1779--Mr. Linn's sentiments-Attempt to compromise the difference of sentiment-Case of Mr. Rodger-Andrew Patten-James Martin-Ultimatum drawn up by Messrs. Smith and Marshall-Answer to, from the Reformed Presbytery-Union apparently abandoned.

FROM the division of the Presbytery, May 20th, 1776, until the coalescence, 1782, it was an eventful and trying period to the Associate Church in America. It was during this period that the people of the Colonies were engaged in the contest for the political independence which this nation now enjoys.

The intercourse between this and the mother country being prohibited during that contest, the communication between the Presbytery and Synod, was also necessarily interrupted. Another effect produced by that contest was, the alienation of the affections of the Colonists from the mother country, and by a natural and almost uniform transition, they were also transferred from the institutions in that country. This was succeeded by a more close union among the Colonists themselves; religious distinctions were in a great measure lost, in the political union of all classes, especially of Presbyterians, in the common defence of liberty and independence.

These effects soon appeared in a plan of union proposed to be formed between the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, and the Reformed Presbytery, commonly called Covenanters. This Presbytery had been constituted in this country in the year 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence; they professed the same principles with the Reformed Presbyterians in Scotland and Ireland, with which they were ecclesiastically connected. It consisted of three members, viz: Messrs. John Cuthbertson, William Linn, and Alexander Dobbin, who preached mostly in Pennsylvania.* The members of this Presbytery, notwithstanding all that was maintained in their Testimony respecting the necessity of scriptural qualifications to the lawful existence of civil magistracy, fell in with the American Revolution, and submitted to the government as now organized.

The Reformed Presbytery were reputed strict in adhering to their profession, and generally exemplary in their practice; and as they now acknowledged the newly created government of the United States, the scheme of union with them seemed to have much to recommend it, and it was accordingly espoused by some, who had been formerly zealous in opposing the distinguishing peculiarities of this Presbytery. These now alledged that nothing but prejudice, bigotry or ignorance would oppose the union. They seemed to lose sight of all the other distinguishing tenets of this Presbytery, upon its abandoning the one respecting civil magistracy.

Among the number of those who favored the union, was the Rev. Robert Annan, who was settled at Walkill, in the State of New-York. In the summer of 1777, while the British had possession of Philadelphia, and their army was marching through Pennsylvania, Mr. Annan came to Pennsylvania, and

* Marshall's Life, page 17; and Reformation Principles Exhibited, page 96. + Vindication, page 10.

succeeded in getting up a Conference between some of the members of the two bodies. This meeting was held at Donegal, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in August of this year; three years after the constitution of the Reformed Presbytery in this country. Few members attended, and little more was effected at this meeting than an agreement to meet again in March, the ensuing year, at Pequa, also, in Pennsylvania. This meeting was attended by Messrs. Proudfit, Clarkson, Smith and Murray, with elders from their respective congregations, of the Associate Presbytery; and by Messrs. Cuthbertson, Linn and Dobbin, with elders, of the Reformed Presbytery.

At this Conference a greater difference of sentiment appeared than had been apprehended. The members of the Associate Presbytery themselves seemed not to be of one mind, respecting the obligation and nature of public covenant engagements. The members of the Reformed Presbytery, also, began to defend their peculiar views concerning the origin of civil magistracy, and the qualifications of civil rulers; which views, it had been thought, they had wholly abandoned, in their submission to the newly organized government of the United States; for in this government no particular religious belief was required as a qualification for office. But notwithstanding the diversity of sentiment that appeared at this meeting, there were still some resolved not to abandon the scheme of a union. After much disscussion, certain propositions capable of being construed to meet the views of the different parties in the conference were drawn up, and it was agreed to meet again on the 29th of October the same year, at Middle Octorara.

As yet the consideration of the union had not been introduced into the Presbytery, all that had been done was extrajudicial. But at a meeting of the Associate Presbytery, at Tohikan, Bucks county, October 21st of the same year, the following Overture on this subject was introduced by the Rev. Mr. Murray.

"That this Presbytery expressly nominate and appoint some week hereafter, as soon as convenience will permit, to take into serious consideration, the subject of the proposed union with the Covenanters and to confer with them in an amicable manner on the same subject, in order to try whether or not a coalescence can be brought about, in a consistency with the glory of God, and the cause of truth, and the comfort of the Church. And for proceeding in this matter with greater regularity, it is further proposed, that this Presbytery

set apart one of the days of the week, that may be nominated for the Conference, for the purpose of conferring together by themselves, on the subject of the proposed union, and for solemn prayer unto God for his special direction in this matter." The design of this Overture was to prepare for the meeting of the Conference on the ensuing week. The Presbytery, however, did not agree to the proposition contained in the Overture, but appointed their next meeting on the 27th of the same month, two days before the meeting of the Conference, at the same place Middle Octorara. This meeting of Presbytery was more fully attended than the preceding. There were present, the Rev. Mr. Murray, Moderator, and Messrs. Proudfit, Henderson, Marshall, Rodger, Smith, Clarkson and Logan, ministers, and Messrs William Moore,* James Brown, Robert Thomson, William Finley and Alexander Moor, ruling elders. There were present, also, the Rev. Messrs Mason and Clark of the Associate Presbytery of New-York, who had come with a view of attending the Conference, and who were also allowed a seat in Presbytery. The principal subject of discussion at this meeting, was, respecting the propriety or impropriety of holding a Conference with the members of the Reformed Presbytery at present; a motion at length prevailed to meet with them next day at 10 o'clock, A. M. Messrs. Rodger and Smith were appointed a committee to prepare the subjects to be proposed for consideration at the Confer

ence.

On the next morning, the committee gave in their report, specifying subjects for Conference with the Reformed Presbytery, viz:-"Redemption-the origin and channel of civil government-the moral law-the kingdom of Christ-the qualifications of civil rulers-the obligation of our solemn covenants the lawfulness of civil establishments in religiontheir (the Reformed Presbytery's) Testimony." This report was agreed to, and Presbytery adjourned to meet in the afternoon, immediately after the Conference.t

The members of the Reformed Presbytery being present, the Conference took place. After some time had been spent in an interchange of sentiments on the above subjects, it became evident that the two bodies were not of one mind on most of the points proposed for discussion. A diversity of

* I visited the widow of this man in 1828, in company with the Rev. James Pringle. She was then 106 years old, had still a sound mind and retentive memory. She had a distinct recollection of the principal tacts connected with the union.

+ Minutes of Presbytery as published in Marshall's Vindication, &c. pages 10 and 11.