In speaking of the formation of the 1973 formation of the Presbyterian Church in America, it is important to know that, more than anything else, the founding fathers saw the new denomination as a faithful remnant—a “continuing Church.” That in fact was the name they operated under in the last years leading up to the actual formation. At its formation, the Continuing Presbyterian Church officially became the National Presbyterian Church. Then a year later, that name was changed to the Presbyterian Church in America.

Truly a Historic Day

The big announcement for a continuing Presbyterian Church outside the Presbyterian Church, US was made on August 11, 1971 at the Journal Day gathering.  Much prayer and planning had gone into this point.  The July 15 devotional spoke of the first strategy meeting earlier in the year.  Now on this day was the unveiling of the whole plan, with those who were willing to take the lead for this historic departure.

Jack Williamson announced that the four conservative organizations — The Presbyterian Journal, Concerned Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, and Presbyterian Churchmen United — had each officially given the impetus by naming representatives to serve as a Steering Committee “for the continuation of a Presbyterian Church loyal to the Scriptures and to the Reformed faith.”  All four organizations, instead of continuing to  represent conservative Christians inside an apostate denomination, had reached an agreement “to accept the apparent inevitability of division in the Presbyterian Church US caused by the program of the radical ecumenists, and to move now toward a continuing body of congregations and presbyteries loyal to the Scriptures and the Westminster Standards.”

The Presbyterian ruling elder continued, “We sincerely believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us in this direction.  We know that any result which is pleasing to Almighty God shall not be accomplished by our might, nor by our power but by His Spirit.  There, we urge and implore you to undergird this effort daily with much fervent prayer that God  will fill us with His Holy Spirit to guide us in this tremendous undertaking…This is truly a history day for all of us. We resolutely set our faces in a new direction.  We shall, with God’s help, preserve for future generations the witness of our  historic faith, that faith once delivered to the saints, to the glory of our King and Head, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The Steering Committee consisted of the following: Donald Patterson, Chairman, James Baird Jr., Leon F. Hendrick, William E. Hill, Kenneth Keyes, John E Richards, John R. Richardson, Kennedy Smartt, G. Aiken Taylor, S.A. White, Ben Wilkinson, and Jack Williamson.

(This contributor is thankful for the book “To God all Praise and Glory” by Paul Settle, for the above information)

Words to live by:  When tough decisions have to be made, God provides faithful and courageous men to stand up  in the gap for His church.  Such were the above mentioned names who agreed to serve on the Steering Committee for a continuing Presbyterian Church faithful to the Scriptures, the Reformed Faith, and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.  Today, the Presbyterian Church in America continues her ministry to a watching world because of their historic stand.  We should praise God for them and  honor them because they honored God.

The Best Laid Plans of Men

The following is excerpted from The Life of Samuel Miller and provides an interesting glimpse into Dr. Miller’s literary pursuits. He was a most prolific author, despite the unfulfilled plans detailed below. Still, it is interesting to mull over what additional riches might have been left to posterity.

From the very commencement of his ministry, his life long, Mr. Miller’s mind was teeming with projects of wri­ting and publishing. Perhaps no man of like cultivation and opportunity, breathing too an infected atmosphere, especially after once experiencing the sensations of being “put to press,” has ever escaped this cacoethes scribendi. And the wisdom of such men must be looked for in their not executing, rather than in their not projecting: we must judge the deed instead of the will. About the time which we have now reached in his history, Mr. Miller’s thoughts seem to have been particularly busy with schemes of book-making. Possibly the religious works which he designed were to be a professional balance to his literary under­takings. The following extracts from his note-book exem­plify what we mean :—

‘This day, August 9, 1800, resolved, through divine assist­ance and direction, to keep in view, and as soon as possible to execute, the plan of writing and publishing the following reli­gious works:—

I. A set of Sermons on Regeneration.

II. A volume of Letters to the Young Men of my Charge.

III. A volume of Letters to the Young Women of Do.

IV. Brief View of Scripture Doctrines.

V. Two volumes—Select Sermons.’

A few pages further on, in the same note-book, he writes, ‘For a striking extract for my proposed work on the Lord’s Supper, see &e., &c.’

Not one of these projects was ever fulfilled, unless the second and third, partially, in some of Dr. Miller’s after writings for the young. In fact, the scheming literary brain seldom overtakes one in ten of its avant-couriers. And, in the present instance, a heavier undertaking soon weighed every energy down to a more sober working frame. Then, providential circumstances, rather than mere taste, gave shape and substance to the book-making of many years.

[excerpted from The Life of Samuel Miller]

Words to Live By:
To translate the author’s last statement, above, Dr. Miller was compelled in his writing to address the many issues and problems of the Church in his day. As a true pastor, he could not stand silent, but neither could he afford the leisure of writing out of self-interest.  Beloved, are your plans surrendered to the Lord? Do you realize that not everything you may want to accomplish needs to be accomplished? Do you realize that God may well have greater plans, unforeseen by you, yet plans that will undoubtedly be to His greater glory?

A Deluge of Pentecostal Power

We have at  various times in the course of this historical devotional turned to the Diary of David Brainerd.  Brainerd was a Presbyterian missionary to the Indians, or native Americans as we would call them today, in the mid seventeen hundreds.  In his short life and ministry among them, he recorded his thoughts and his actions to them and on their behalf, which diary has been used by the Holy Spirit of God to lead countless in both olden times and modern times to commit their lives to service to the Lord.

We look at one day in August 8, 1745 when in a return visit to the Indians of Crossweeksung, New Jersey, the Lord brought about an awakening of their hearts which surpassed anything David Brainerd had experienced up to this time.  Listen to his words from his diary:  “. . . the power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly ‘like a mighty raging wind’ and with an astonishing energy bore down all before it.  I stood amazed at the influence which seized the audience almost universally; and could compare it to nothing more aptly than the irresistible form of a mighty torrent, or swelling deluge, that with its insupportable weight and pressure bears down and sweeps before it whatever is in its way.  I must say . . . that the Lord did much to destroy the kingdom of darkness among his people.”

And then at the bottom of his diary, he writes “This was indeed a surprising day of God’s power, and seemed enough to convince an atheist of the truth, importance, and power of God’s Word.”

When so much of his missionary work has been dry of any results, at least from what he could see, it must have been refreshing to finally see God’s powerful work in breaking up  the hard hearts and the giving to them soft hearts for the gospel.

Words to live by:  There is a powerful text which all believers to remember.  It is a wonderful comfort for us.  It is found in the last phrase of Acts 13:48 where it says, “and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”  Both parts of this text are correct.  Who will believe the gospel?  Answer: as many as were appointed to eternal life.  How do we know those appointed to eternal life?  Answer: They will believe.  Be encouraged to continue to share the good news of eternal life with all those who are interested in listening to you – unsaved loved one, neighbors, work associates, school mates, friends, and strangers you meet.

Today is the first Sunday of the new month and many of our churches will today celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  In that light we chose to jump ahead slightly in our scheduled presentation of Dr. Van Horn’s commentary and post today his treatment of Question No. 97 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:—

STUDIES IN THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM
by Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn