PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (cafe) was founded by Scotch, Irish, Huguenot. Dutch, and German reformed emigrants with a few from New England. Persecution in Europe forced many to seek new homes in the colonies of Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Carolina. One of the first Presby terian ministers was Francis Makcmie, from Ireland, and the earliest churches planted by him were at Rehoboth, on the eastern shore of Maryland and other places in the same colony. Other churches fonnded at nearly the same time were the " Scotch meeting house at Freehold, N. -T.. 1692; the first Presbyterian church at Philadelphia, 1698; and Drawyer's church, Delaware, before 1700. The presbytery of Philadelphia was organ ized a little later than 1700; the precise date having been written only on the first page of the records, which has been lost. It consisted of seven ministers—Samuel Davis, John Hampton. Francis Makemie, and George MeNish, from Ireland; Nathaniel Tay lor and John Wilson from Scotland; and Jedcdiah Andrews from New England. In 1716 the synod of Philadelphia was formed, consisting of four presbyteries: Philadelphia, with six ministers and churches; New Castle, six ministers and churches; Snow Hill, three ministers and churches; and Long Island, two ministers and churches. The act by which-the Westminster confession and catechisms were adopted as the standards of the church was passed in 1729, after much excited discussibn between the recently arrived Irish ministers and those who had been in this country a longer time. The former desired the very words of the Westminster standards; the others were displeased with even the general terms of the adopting act, which was intended for a compromise,, but did not fully accomplish its design. The differences of opinion continued to mani fest themselves, and at length resulted in an American branch of the associate Presby terian church.' In 1739 the visit of Whitefield and the revivals attending his work, aroused a new party feeling in the church, dividing the synod into the warm friends of t le revivals and those who were opposed to, at least, some aspects of the work. In 1 741 be synod was rent in twain: the old side, who insisted on a thoroughly educated minis try, remained in the synod of Philadelphia; and the new side, who attached chief im portance to piety and zeal, constituted the synod of New York. There was little differ ence between the two bodies as to either doctrine or discipline. Gilbert Tennant, the warm friend of Whitefield, was the leader of the new side. After 13 years the breach was healed, the two synods uniting in 1758, under the name of the synod of New York and Philadelphia. At this time population,was flowing rapidly to the wed, having on its frontier line persons of very diverse characters and aims. Some were lawless men, seeking opportunity to live as they pleased, some loved the excitement of frontier life; sonic sought chiefly to improve their temporal condition by obtaining cheap homes on new lands. All were poor; they were exposed to hcistile Indians; and to these obstacles
the Presbyterian evangelist in some regions found state opposition superadded. Only men of education, energy, and zeal could have overcome such hindrances. Such were many of the first Presbyterian ministers: the Tennants of New Jersey; David John Brainerd of the Indian omission, and Davies of Virginia.
In 1765 the synod agreed to meet in annual convention with the general association (Congregational) of Connecticut, to unite their endeavors and counsels for spreading the gospel and preserving the liberties of the churches. This plan was adhered to until the revolution suspended all intercourse. At the revolution the Presbyterians were united :ind zealous patriots, and in common with others suffered greatly. Many of their church buildings were destroyed; others were occupied as hospitals and barracks; and many of their congregations were disbanded. Yet the vitality of the cle...rch con tinued, and on the return of peace increased interest was manifested in all religious affairs. In 1785 a large committee of eminent men was appointed to form from the'con stitution of the Scottish and other Protestant churches a system for the Presbyterian church in the United States. In May, 1788, the synod resolved itself into a general assembly. the first meeting of which was held the following byear. It embraced four synods: New York and New Jersey, Philadelphia, Virginia, and the Carolinas. These contained 17 presbyteries, 419 congregations, and 180 ministers. The adopted the Westminster confession of faith with a few slight alterations; the catechisms, with one alteration; and modified the form of government and discipline of the, church of Scotland so as to disclaim the right of the civil magistrate to interfere in church affairs except for protection alone. After 'he war the friendly relaticns with Congrt gationalists were at once renewed. In 1792 tLe general assembly and the general association of Con necticut agreed that each denomination should be represented in the annual meeting of the other by three commissioners; and the agreement was afterward extended to the general associations of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In 1794 these commissioners were allowed to vote on all matters under discussion. In 1801 a plan of union was adopted by both, denominations under which a Congregational church might have a Presbyterian pastor, still retaining his place in his presbytery, and might be represented therein by its delegate instead of a ruling elder; and a Presbyterian church represented in its presbytery by a railing elder might have a Congregational pastor still continuing a member of his association. By the operation of this "plan of union," dur ing 36 years hundreds of Congregational churches became Presbyterian, modified by sending a "committee-man" to the pros" ytery; and in many cases the committee-men grew naturally into genuine and excellent ruling elders.