REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS (CAMERONTASS, ante) were found in Pennsyl vannia 1743. at which time they met at Middle Octorara, and renewed their subscription to the old Scottish " covenant." In 1752 the rev. John Cuthbertson. sent over by the church of Scotland, became their minister, and in 1774, in connection with the rev.
Messrs. Linn and Dobbin from the Reformed presbytery of Ireland, constituted the Reformed presbytery of this country. In 1782 these ministers and a part of their people united with the Associate church in forming the Associate Reformed church. In 1793 they organized a presbytery at Philadelphia, which, having in 1800 the question of slavery forced ou its consideration, declared that no slaveholder should be allowed to remain in communion with it. In 1807 it opened a theological seminary at Philadelphia; and in 1809 resolved itself into a synod containing three presbyteries. Holding that the church and the state are the two leading departments of Christ's visible kingdom on earth, they will not take a civil oath nor do any other net which implies full allegiance to the state. After the war of 1812 this peculiarity occasioned much debate among themselves, and led in 1833 to the formation of an independent synod by the more liberal minded minority. The majority, made more homogeneous by the secession, now enforced
their principles more rigidly. They neither become nor act as American citizens; do not vote at/political elections, or enlist in the army, or accept civil stations, or serve as jurors, or in any way personally recognize the political system of the United States. Their theological seminary, organized in 1840, is established at Allegheny City, Penn., and has a faculty of three professors, The synod has several missions in foreign lands, one of which is at Latakiyeh, Syria. In 1877 the reported missionary and other hcnev olent contributions amounted to $45,000. The minority at the separation in 1833 is officially styled the general synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church, but is popularly called the New Light Covenanting church. Maintaining strictly the other principles of Covenanters, its members recognize their duties and emliraeo their privileges as citizens. Within a few years it has been weakened by the withdrawal of a part of its ministers and churches. The old theological seminary in Philadelphia is in connection with this portion of the denomination.