Adopting act.—Its origin.—False assumptions as to its design.—Mr. Thompson’s overture.—President Dickinson’s objections.—The act itself.—The true interpretation of it, as determined by its own language and avowed design.—As determined by the action of the synod.—As authoritatively declared in 1730 and in 1736.—How acted upon by the presbyteries.—How explained by contemporary writers.—What has been the doctrinal standard in our church since 1729?—Bearing of the acts of 1730 and 1736 upon this question.—The standard assumed by the synod of Philadelphia.—The standard adopted in the synod of New York.—The standard assumed at the time of the union and ever since maintained.—Constitution of the church during the period from 1729 to 1741.—Ordinary powers of the synod.—Presbyterial powers of the synod.—Its action by committees.—Acts and Overtures.
THE most prominent event during this period of our history is the passing of the adopting act, by which assent to the Westminster Confession of Faith was required of all members of the synod, and of all candidates for admission to the presbyteries. This event forms an era in our history, and has exerted an influence on our church, which is still felt in all her borders. The origin, design, and import of this celebrated act deserve particular attention. It was stated in the preceding chapter, that the presbytery of Newcastle had begun, at least as early as 1724, to require the adoption of the Westminster Confession by their candidates for the ministry. The first record relating to this subject refers to Mr. William McMillan, who was licensed September 22, 1724, for distance service in Virginia. His subscription to the confession of faith bears the same date. What led to the adoption of this measure is not recorded; and there does not appear to have been any previous order of the presbytery that such subscription should be demanded. From this time, however, it seems to have been the common practice of the presbytery.
It is obvious that the same reasons which induced the presbytery of Newcastle to adopt this measure themselves, would lead them to wish for the concurrence of the whole church of which they were a part. No one will be surprised, therefore, to learn that the overture which led to the adopting act had its origin in this presbytery. Under the date of March 27, 1728, it is recorded that, “an overture formerly read before synod, but which was dropped, being now at the desire of the presbytery produced by Mr. Thompson and read, the presbytery defer their judgment concerning it until next meeting.” At the subsequent meeting the subject was again deferred until the sessions of the presbytery during the intervals of synod. No further mention of it is made on the minutes; and it is therefore uncertain what was the decision of the presbytery respecting it. It is probable that they referred the whole matter to the synod, without any expression of their own opinion, as it is not reported as the overture of a presbytery but of an individual, and as Mr. Thompson speaks in it, throughout, in his own name. This gentleman, who is thus prominently connected with this subject, was a native of Ireland. He came to this country as a probationer for the ministry in 1715, and was ordained over the congregation at Lewes in 1717. He had, therefore, been at this time eleven years a member of the synod. He appears to have been a man of self-command, learning, and piety. He took indeed an active, and in some respects a very mistaken part in opposition to Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Tennent; yet no one can read his writings without being impressed with respect for his character and talents. And it is a gratifying fact, that Mr. Tennent himself, after the excitement of controversy had subsided, came to speak of him in terms of affectionate regard. Indeed, were nothing known of these men, but their controversial writings, the reader could hardly fail to think, that in humility, candour, and Christian temper, Mr. Thompson was greatly superior to his opponent. It is, however, the weakest side of Mr. Tennent’s ardent and impetuous character that appears in those writings, and they therefore would be a very unfair criterion of the man.
When the overture respecting the adoption of the confession of faith was introduced into synod in 1728, though it had been presented the year before, and though there were twenty-nine members present, of whom seventeen were ministers, it was deemed of so much importance that, by common consent, it was deferred to the next synod. There was, therefore, no attempt, as has been ungenerously asserted, to take the synod unawares. The record in relation to this point is as follows: “There being an overture presented to the synod in writing, having reference to the subscribing the confession of faith, &c.; the synod, judging this to be a very important affair, unanimously concluded to defer the consideration of it till the next synod; withal recommending to the members of each presbytery to give timeous notice to the absent members, and it is agreed that the next be a full synod.”