Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-02-15
CHURCH HISTORY.
Religious Denominations Of
Wood County.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

| HISTORY.
The doctrines aud discipline Of the Pres
byterian Church Nre said 10 have been In
troduced into America BY Presbyterian
emigrants from Scotland and ireland, abeu
the year 1905; at which period the frs
Presbytery was. formed in Philadelphis, by
the Rev. Mr.. Mckenzie, the father Of Aner
lean Presbyterianisrn, and six other or
daiued Ministers. -Four Of the absve Min
listers we're IrishmeH, two were Scoichmen
and the seventh was a native bern Ameri
can.
Az late ne 17lO there we're but ten sl
twelve congregations connected with thi,
Church on the Western Continent; bu'
shortly after this period the number hogan
To increase by emigration from Scotland
and Ireland; 80 that in 1910 they we're
able 10 form the Synod OF Philadelphia
having within its bounds tour Presbyterie.
subject to its Jurisdiction. From this date
to the year 1741, the number OF ministers
members and Churches became much in
creased, notwithstanding there had existed
difference OF views, both in regard TO
doctrine and discipline--the Scottish emf.
grants having brought over with them all
their national characteristics Of tenacity
and rigidity, which inclined them 10 seek
for the establishment Of the more strict
forms Of the Kirk (Church) of Scotland
while the Trisk aud New England emf.
grants we're disposed to be mere liberal in
doctrine, as the Scotch supposed, and more
lax in discipline.
These differences OF opinion resulted in
Schism, and finally led to the formation Of
a new Synod New York; in l745. After
being separated for fifteen years, the two
Synods were reunited under the name OF
the Synods Of New York and Philadelphia.
For period Of ten years after the re.un-
ion there was held annually a convention
Of delegates from all the Presbyterian, Con-
gregational and CONSOLIDATED Churches in
North America. These annual conven-
tions were discontinued however during the
war of the Revolution and were never af-
terward renewed. In 1888 the General As
sembly Of the Presby byterian Church of the
United States was duly organised. For =
period Of ten years or more, prior to the
second disruption of the Church. the cid
elements, referred to above, came into col
lision with each other again, and as fire.
Quently threatened the explosion Of the
bodies affected hy them. In 1880 the Rev
Albert Barnes received AID accepted cal
to the irst Presbyterian Church Of Phila-
delphia; he had long been known as
promoter of revivals, as the advocate Of
certain doctrines which the strict construc-
ZIONIST party did not consider orthodox
His case was taken to the Prcsbytery, then
to the Synod, and from this to the General
Assembly which body to accommodate Mr..
Barnes and his friends constituted n new
Presbytery, bat the Synod of Philadelphia
protested against this act Of the General
Assembly and refused to enroll the names
Of the minister. Of the second Presbytery.
At last q formal complaint was made
against Mr.. Barnes for heresy, which ended
in his suspension from the ministry.
Immediately before the session in 1887,
the opposers of Mr.. Barnes (who had been
restored by the General Assembly in 1856
held a convention at Philadelphia, and
drew up memorial with method Of re-
form, in which they protested against six
teen errors of doctrine, ten departures
from Presbyterian order, and FIVE declen-
Aions in Church discipline, and rs means
Of reform proposed the severance from the
Church all the Presbyteries and SynSds not
organized on strictly Presbyterian princi-
Piles, and to omit much that might be ad
ded here, we say to the reader that such a
separation was effected and there went ont
in a body FIVE hundred ministers and sixty
thousand members. Notwithstanding this
tial body OF Christians in twain these two
bodies after a separation Of at least thirty
years met in St. Louis, and aiterward in
New York, and finally appointed commit
tees to make reports on plan OF reunion
which was finally adopted by rising vote,
and nothing remained to be done but to
give formal shape to the will Of both bod
les, and the tive assemblies accordingly met
at Piltsburg, Pa, on the 10th day OF Nov,
1869, and after making official records OF
their action and communicating the results
TO each other, amid the most intense man.
ifestalions Of Joy united in joint process
sion and meeting in the Third Presbyte-
Ran Church Of this city where several
hours were spent in prayer, singing and ad-
dresses OF congratulations. The ministers
of the Presbyterian Church compose a
body of men, who in point of talent, learn
ing and eloquence as we'll rs devoted piety
have no superiors in the country; and we
cSnnSt help but reverence their most ex-
client precepts, and whose works no doubt,
will reflect lasting honor on their eharac-
ters and abilities.
ITS DOCTRINES,
They believe on the Being and perfee-
tions Of God the authentisity of the Holy
Scriptures; the Divinity OF Jesus Christ,
the Trinity in Unity, the doctrine of end
Iesa rewarda and nuuiah menta They be-