The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery
Posted on May 10, 2007
Filed Under Church History, Denominationalism, Weylan Deaver
by Weylan Deaver
A presbytery is a court, or body, of church leaders who make and enforce decisions on member congregations. The Washington Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church covered southwest Ohio and the northeast part of Kentucky as the nineteenth century began. Staunchly Calvinistic, the Presbyterian Church grew alarmed by the preaching of Barton Warren Stone and others at the Great Revival at Cane Ridge, Kentucky in 1801. This was due to Stone’s belief that the gospel was for all men and that faith was a pre-condition for salvation. Both those doctrines are denied by Calvinism, which teaches a limited atonement, unconditional election and irresistible grace.
So, Barton W. Stone, as a Presbyterian preacher, was in hot water with the Washington Presbytery, along with Robert Marshall, Richard McNemar, John Dunlavy and John Thompson. Charges were first brought by the Washington Presbytery against Richard McNemar, and his case came before the Synod of Kentucky in September 1803 for a ruling. The Kentucky Synod sided with the Washington Presbytery. Stone and the others could see the writing on the wall and knew they were next. Thus, with the courage of their convictions, they announced their withdrawal from the Washington Presbytery and that, furthermore, the Presbyterian Confession of Faith was an impediment to the gospel.
On breaking with the Presbyterian Church, these five men established an organization of their own, called the Springfield Presbytery. Their goal was to abandon all manmade creeds and accept only the Bible as their authoritative guide. Soon, fifteen churches belonged to the Springfield Presbytery. However, as the work rapidly grew, Stone and others came to see that they had established the very thing they were seeking to leave behind—a manmade organization not authorized in Scripture.
In an effort toward unity, the Springfield Presbytery was actually fueling division, along with all the other presbyteries and such like. Consequently, they rightly decided their new creation needed to be immediately dissolved for the good of the gospel. To do that, they drafted “The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery,†which was issued June 28, 1804—three years before Thomas Campbell came to America from Ireland, and five years before Alexander Campbell arrived on American shores.
All Christians would do well to acquaint themselves with the history of the Lord’s church during the Restoration of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Earl Irvin West has an outstanding 351 page book, Search For The Ancient Order, Vol. I (published by Gospel Advocate, Nashville). Or, for a brief yet insightful survey of the same history in 111 pages, there is Adron Doran’s book, Restoring New Testament Christianity (published by 21st Century Christian, Nashville).
“The Last Will and Testament†is a thrilling statement of determination to throw off the chains of denominationalism once and for all. It shows what happens when the truth dawns on the minds of men who see clearly for the first time that the gospel of Christ does not need buttressing by presbyteries, synods, catechisms, creeds, and the like. Without their courageous trailblazing, we might be still in the quagmire of men’s doctrines. Here is what they penned from Kentucky, 200 years ago:
The Presbytery of Springfield, sitting at Cane Ridge, in the county of Bourbon, being, through a gracious Providence, in more than ordinary bodily health, growing in strength and size daily; and in perfect soundness and composure of mind; but knowing that it is appointed for all delegated bodies once to die: and considering that the life of every such body is very uncertain, do make, and ordain this our last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, viz.
Imprimis. We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one Body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling.
Item. We will, that our name of distinction, with its Reverend title, be forgotten, that there be but one Lord over God’s heritage, and his name One.
Item. We will, that our power of making laws for the government of the church, and executing them by delegated authority, forever cease; that the people may have free course to the Bible, and adopt the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
Item. We will, that candidates for the Gospel ministry henceforth study the Holy Scriptures with fervent prayer, and obtain license from God to preach the simple Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, without any mixture of philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, or the rudiments of the world. And let none henceforth take this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Item. We will, that the church of Christ resume her native right of internal government—try her candidates for the ministry, as to their soundness in the faith, acquaintance with experimental religion, gravity and aptness to teach; and admit no other proof of their authority but Christ speaking in them. We will, that the church of Christ look up to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest; and that she resume her primitive right of trying those who say they are apostles, and are not.
Item. We will, that each particular church, as a body, actuated by the same spirit, choose her own preacher, and support him by a free will offering, without a written call or subscription—admit members—remove offences; and never henceforth delegate her right of government to any man or set of men whatever.
Item. We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven; and as many as are offended with other books, which stand in competition with it, may cast them into the fire if they choose; for it is better to enter into life having one book, than having many to be cast into hell.
Item. We will, that preachers and people, cultivate a spirit of mutual forbearance; pray more and dispute less; and while they behold the signs of the times, look up, and confidently expect that redemption draweth nigh.
Item. We will, that our weak brethren, who may have been wishing to make the Presbytery of Springfield their king, and wot not what is now become of it, betake themselves to the Rock of Ages, and follow Jesus for the future.
Item. We will, that the Synod of Kentucky examine every member, who may be suspected of having departed from the Confession of Faith, and suspend every such suspected heretic immediately; in order that the oppressed may go free, and taste the sweets of gospel liberty.
Item. We will, that Ja——, the author of two letters lately published in Lexington, be encouraged in his zeal to destroy partyism. We will, moreover, that our past conduct be examined into by all who may have correct information; but let foreigners beware of speaking evil of things which they know not.
Item. Finally, we will, that all our sister bodies read their Bibles carefully, that they may see their fate there determined, and prepare for death before it is too late.
Springfield Presbytery, June 28th, 1804
Witnesses: Robert Marshall, John Dunlavy, Richard M’Nemar, B. W. Stone, John Thompson, David Purviance
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