The following excerpt is one of several increasingly hostile reports on the Great Revival published in the annual minutes of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Philadelphia from 1803 to 1809. Click here to view related excerpts from the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (1847).
The Assembly resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the general state of religion. Having read the same by paragraphs, and made some amendments therein, they adopted it as follows:
“The Assembly have heard with much pleasure, accounts from the east and west, the north and south, proclaiming the triumphs of the Redeemer, in the extension and prosperity of his kingdom in our country.
The Assembly have received an impression of the most pleasing kind, from the intelligence that there is, in almost every quarter, a general, and in some parts of our church, an increased attention to the public worship of God. That there exists a spirit of inquiry in regard to religious truth, and a more general conviction that the power of godliness is necessary to stamp value on its form. Associations for prayer and reading the Holy Scriptures, have, it appears, been the means frequently blessed by God, to preserve the very existence of religion in places destitute of the preaching of the gospel, and the full administration of its ordinances. Such associations have happily prepared the people for the labours of the pious missionary, who thus came upon ground, as it were, already broken up, and profitably scattered the good seed of the word.
The Assembly have heard with great satisfaction, that the catechizing of children and others, has, in certain parts of our church, been practised with more than ordinary care, and with that desirable success which may ever be expected to follow a suitable regard to this most important duty.
With heartfelt pleasure the Assembly bear testimony to the charitable exertions made by some of their churches, for the relief of the poor and for the maintenance of the holy ministry. They rejoice to find that the ordinances of the gospel are, in general, attended with punctuality and earnestness. They regret however, that in some particulars, they are compelled to use the language of reprehension. It is with pain they observe it to be the practice of too many, in some of their churches, to attend divine service only on one part of the day, to the neglect or contempt of the remaining part. Against this practice, so injurious to the spiritual interests of their people, so entirely inconsistent with the Christian character and privileges, they think it no more than their duty, solemnly to protest. And they do most affectionately beseech all who are conscious of delinquency in this respect no longer to withhold from God any portion of that time which he hath specially consecrated to his own service.
We live at a time when it becomes a duty peculiarly incumbent, to ‘contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.’ It will however be remembered, that the sacred cause of truth can never be promoted by angry controversy or railing accusation. It is therefore recommended to the churches to vindicate the truth, not only by sound and temperate discussion, but also and especially by the manifestation of its sanctifying and transform ing power over the life and conversation; and by evincing that ‘the like mind is in us which was in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
It should ever be recollected, that error in doctrine has a native tendency to produce immorality in practice; and therefore, that we should not be carried about by every wind of doctrine. Let us prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. This caution, it is hoped, will be received with attention and solemnity, inasmuch as the church has been of late invaded by errors which strike at the very foundation of our faith and hope; such as the denial of the Godhead and atonement of the blessed Redeemer, the subjection of Holy Scripture to the most extravagant impulses of the heart of man. These, and other errors of a dangerous nature, have been industriously, and, alas! that the Assembly should be constrained to add, in some portions of our country, too successfully disseminated.
It is believed that in the revivals of late years, many have been added to the church of such as shall be saved. Many who, steadfast in the Christian life, seek to ‘adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things.’ For this, let the Giver of every good and perfect gift be praised. These happy subjects of divine grace are exhorted, to ‘hold fast that which they have received, that no man take their crown;’ to ‘be faithful unto death, that they may obtain a crown of life.” But as it has often occurred, in former periods of the church, so there is reason to believe it has happened with respect to these effusions of the Spirit’s gracious influences. Transformed into an angel of light, the enemy of souls hath endeavoured to mar the glorious display of divine operations, by inciting to the most absurd and extravagant outrages upon Christian sobriety and decorum.
The Assembly beseech all their people to bear in mind, that if they allow themselves to abandon the unerring guidance of God’s written word, they will inevitably become the prey of ignorance, superstition, and fanaticism. ‘Bodily exercise profiteth little.’ The mind sown with the seed of the word; the soul renewed by the Holy Spirit; these profit! These entitle a man to the character of being truly religious; and whatsoever has not a tendency to cherish and promote true religion, is inconstant as the wind, and light as the chaff it scatters.
The Assembly are happy to add, that their observations on the prosperity of the church, and the favourable position of religious affairs generally, were not meant to be confined to the Presbyteries under their care. They comprehended also the state of things within the bounds of the General Association of Connecticut, and among the Congregational churches in the State of Vermont, where the interests of Christ’s kingdom appear to prosper.
Source
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: From Its Organization A. D. 1789 to A. D. 1820 Inclusive (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, [1847]), 356–358.
