This Day in Presbyterian History:

A Waystation for the Progress of the Gospel

Up to the middle of the eighteenth century, what presbyteries existed were all in the northern part of the American colonies.  But after the division of the New Side – Old Side Presbyterians in 1741 (see May 17, 1741), the New Side evangelists set their spiritual eyes on advancing the gospel both south and west of Philadelphia.   Especially was there an encouragement due to the expansion of the Scot-Irish Presbyterians in those  directions who still worshiped in the manner of their Scotch forefathers.

An important waystation for  the progress of the gospel was the establishment of Hanover Presbytery in Virginia on October 3, 1775.  Constituting this regional church governing unit were the following: Samuel Davies, of Hanover Presbyterian Church, of Hanover County; Robert Henry, pastor of Cub Creek Church in Charlotte County and Briery Church in Prince Edward County ; John Brown, of Timber Ridge and New Providence Presbyterian churches in Rockbridge County;  and John Todd, assistant to Samuel Davies and pastor of Louisa County.  Various ruling elders also attended, such as Samuel Morris, Alexander Joice, and John Molley.  Also part of the presbytery but unable to attend were Alexander Craighead, pastor of Windy Cove Church in Augusta County, and John Wright, pastor of the church in Cumberland County, near Farmville, Virginia.

At the first meeting of the Presbytery, after the sermon by John Todd, the first action taken was to appoint a day of fasting and prayer on January 1, 1777.   The last act was to repeat the fasting and prayer on June of the same year.  In both cases, the purpose was to ask God for His help against the physical dangers occasioned by the war in their land as well as to ask God to bless the preaching of the Word of God in the area.

Words to live by:  Lest we respond with a yawn about the topic of today’s devotional, let us remember that to attend church in these early days was to put your life and that of your family in danger.  First, there was the distance travelled to the meeting-house, usually a log building, or sometimes outside  under a huge tree.  Transportation there was by horseback, or in buggies pulled by horses.  The worshiping family carried their Bibles, hymns, and rifles with power horns, for protection.  The services themselves lasted for two hours.  And at the end, there would be communal meals, with another worship hour before they left for their homes.  Colonial worship was not for the lukewarm, but for the God-fearing, Bible-believing men and women of the Presbyterian faith.

Through the Scriptures:  Ezra 1 – 4

Through the Standards: The duties of government to the church

WCF 23:3
“Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in the matter of faith.  Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.  And, as Jesus Christ has appointed a regular government and discipline in his Church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief.  It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretence of religion or infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance.”