CAMERONIANS, the religious sect in Scotland popularly named after Richard Cam eron (q.v.). Its official designation, however, is that of Reformed Presbyterians. No doubt, the principles of the body are those for which Cameron contended and died; but not till after 1688 did the small body of Presbyterians, who insisted upon the restoration of the civil and ecclesiastical polity of 1638 to 1649 in opposition to the revolution set tlement, assume a distinct form. According to the solemn league and covenant, ratified by the parliaments of England and Scotland, and also by the assembly of divines at Westminster in 1643, presbyterianism was to be maintained in the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and popery, prelacy, superstition, heresy, schism, etc., were to be extirpated. As a measure of pacification, presbyterianism was established in Scot land by act of parliament, 1690; but it was of a modified kind, rendering the church a creature of the state, more particularly as regards the calling of general assemblies. Equally to the disgust of the extreme party referred to, prelacy was confirmed in Eng land and Ireland, and there was a general toleration of heresy—i.e., dissent. In senti-: ment, if not in form, therefore, this party repudiated the government of William III. and his successors, and maintained the perpetually binding obligations of the covenants. Unquestionably:, these C. acted under strong convictions, and only desired to carry out to a legitimate issue theoretical principles of the church of Scotland which, for pruden tial considerations, have been practically in abeyance; and it is in the standards of this sect that we find a true embodiment of the tenets held by the great body of English and Scotch Presbyterians of 1643. Although thus an elder sister of the existing church of Scotland and all its secessions, it was with some difficulty that, after the revolution, it organized a communion with ordained ministers. The steadfastness of members was put to a severe trial by the defection of their ministers; but in 1706, after their faith and patience had been tried for 16 years, they were joined by the Rev. John M'Millan, from
the Established church; and shortly afterwards, by the Rev. John M'Ncil, a licentiate of the same church. To confirm the faith of members, and give a public testimony of their principles, the covenants were solemnly renewed on Auchensauch hill, near Douglas, in Lanarkshire, in 1712. The subsequent accession of the Rev. Mr. Nairne enabled the C. to constitute a presbytery at Braehead, in the parish of Carnwath, on the 1st of Aug., 1743, under the appellation of the Reformed presbytery. Other preachers afterwards attached themselves to the sect, which continued to flourish obscurely in the w. of Scotland and n. of Ireland. For their history and tenets, we refer to the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Glasgow, John Keith, 1842). Holding strictly to the covenants, and in theory rejecting the revolution settlement, the political position of the C. is very peculiar, as they refuse to recognize any laws or institutions which they conceive to be inimical to those of the kingdom of Christ; from which cause many of them formerly isolated themselves from general society, and refused several of the responsibilities and privileges of citizens. In 1860, there was an attempt on the part of some of the kirk-sessions to prevent the members becoming vol unteers, on account of the oath of allegiance which required to be taken. On the question coming before the synod, it was decided (1863) that excommunication for taking the oath should cease. In consequence of this decision, 10 or 12 congregations seceded. In 1876, the larger body of the Reformed Presbyterians, consisting of about 45 congre gations, was formally united to the Free church of Scotland, so that the distinctive features of the Cameron inns are now represented by the few congregations which seceded in 1863.