The Difference Between Presbyterians

 

The sources detail the establishment and evolution of Presbyterian churches in Augusta County, Virginia, highlighting their significance in the community's religious and social life. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

• Early Meeting Houses: Several Presbyterian meeting houses were established in the early days of Augusta County, including Timber Ridge, New Providence, and Falling Spring. These meeting houses were crucial for the religious life of the early settlers. The early meeting-houses in Augusta, erected before the year 1745, were likely registered in Orange County.

• Timber Ridge: The text mentions that the meeting house at Timber Ridge was originally called "Timber Grove," and was located in a place with an abundance of forest trees.

• New Providence: A house of worship in Pennsylvania called Providence was the origin of many families who emigrated to New Virginia, settled together, and built a meeting-house which they also called New Providence.

• Falling Spring: A Presbyterian meeting house was established at Falling Spring.

• Old Side vs. New Side: A significant division occurred within the Presbyterian Church in America, creating two factions known as the "Old Side" and the "New Side". This split was not due to doctrinal differences, but rather disagreements about the proper methods of promoting religion.

  • The New Side Presbyterians, sometimes called "New Lights," were followers of George Whitefield, known for his zealous and eloquent preaching style.
  • The Old Side faction was composed of the more conservative members of the church who were less enthusiastic about revivalist approaches.
  • The various Presbyterians adhering to the Old Side were associated as the Synod of Philadelphia, and those of the New Side as the Synod of New York.
  • During the period of division, most Presbyterian churches in present-day Augusta County adhered to the Old Side, while those in the region that is now Rockbridge County adhered to the New Side. This split caused much bitterness and was detrimental to the cause of religion.

• Hanover Presbytery: The Hanover Presbytery was formed in 1755 by the Synod of New York and was composed of New Side ministers and churches. It initially included only six ministers.

• Reunion: The breach between the Old Side and New Side Presbyterians was healed in 1758, and the two parties came together again.

• Other Presbyterian Churches:

  • Augusta (Stone) Church: This church was a significant site of worship, and it is believed that the first service in the stone building took place on January 22, 1750.
  • Tinkling Spring: The congregation at Tinkling Spring was the subject of some contention, with disagreements about where the meeting house should be located.

• Bethel: The Bethel congregation was formed in 1779, after a group of people put up a log building as a meeting house. This was done without the full support of the congregation and was a cause of contention that was later resolved.

• Hebron (Brown's Meeting House): This church is also mentioned in connection with North Mountain. The Rev. Charles Cummings was pastor at Brown's meeting-house [Hebron] from 1767 till 1773; and the Rev. Archibald Scott was pastor of Brown's meeting-house and North Mountain congregations from 1778 to about 1798.

• Mossy Creek Church: Organized in 1767.

• Union Church: Organized in 1817.

• Shemariah Church: Organized in 1832.

• Mt. Carmel Church: Organized in 1835.

• Mt. Horeb Church: Organized in 1857.

• Loch Willow Church: Organized at Churchville in 1866.

• Staunton: There was no regular Presbyterian church organization in Staunton until 1804. The first church building was erected in 1818.

• Waynesborough: The first Presbyterian church in Waynesborough was erected around 1798, but it was superseded by another in 1824.

• Church Disputes and Controversies: The sources reveal some tension and disputes, including:

  • A disagreement about where to build the Tinkling Spring Church, which was settled by an elder named Samuel Pilson.
  • A controversy related to the introduction of Watts' psalms at New Providence, which led to some members leaving the church and reopening the Old Providence meeting-house.
  • A dispute between Col. John Lewis and Col. James Patton about the location of Tinkling Spring church. It was noted that Craig was not neutral in this dispute, and wanted the church built north of the site.

• Role of Ministers: Ministers were important figures in the community, often serving multiple congregations. They provided spiritual guidance and were involved in the social and educational development of the area.

• Support for Churches: People contributed to the cost of building meeting houses.

The Presbyterian churches played a vital role in the lives of the early settlers of Augusta County, providing not only spiritual guidance, but also serving as centers of community life and social interaction.

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The religious practices of the Scotch-Irish evolved significantly both in Ulster and in Augusta County, Virginia, shaped by factors including persecution, reformation, and adaptation to new environments.

Evolution of Religious Practices in Ulster:

• Early Scottish Settlers: The initial Scottish settlers in Ulster were not universally religious. Many were described as openly profane and immoral, with little regard for the church. Going to Ireland was seen as a sign of disreputable character in Scotland.
• Religious Reformation: Around 1625, a religious reformation occurred in Ulster due to the efforts of pious ministers from Scotland and England. This revival led to a marked change in the people's character, with many embracing a more devout Christian faith.
• Presbyterian Distinctiveness: Although the Scottish ministers were initially included within the established Episcopal Church of Ireland, they maintained the distinct practices of the Presbyterian Church.
• Persecution and Nonconformity: With the rise of figures like Archbishop Laud, efforts were made to force conformity to the Church of England. Ministers who refused were deposed and prohibited from preaching. This persecution led many to seek religious liberty elsewhere.
• Resilience and Resistance: Despite persecution, the Presbyterian church in Ulster grew in strength. Ministers continued to serve their congregations in private and gradually began to officiate more publicly, building meeting houses.
• Royal Bounty: In a surprising turn, King Charles II provided an annual grant to dissenting ministers in recognition of their loyalty. However, the primary source of trouble for dissenters was the ecclesiastical authorities, rather than the civil ones.
• Marriage Practices: The established church harassed dissenters over marriages performed by their ministers, although civil courts recognized these marriages as valid.
• Continued Persecution: Even with some periods of peace and tolerance, Presbyterian communities in Ulster continued to face persecution, including fines, imprisonment, and the closing of meeting houses.
• Influence of Calvinism: Calvinism played a role in shaping the religious practices and character of the Scotch-Irish.

Evolution of Religious Practices in Augusta County:

• Presbyterian Dominance: The early settlers of Augusta County were predominantly of Scotch-Irish descent and largely Presbyterian. They brought their Bibles with them and quickly established log meeting houses for worship.
• Religious Freedom: While the Church of England was established in the colony, the dissenters in the Valley faced less interference with their religious practices than those in lower Virginia.
• Establishment of Churches: Numerous Presbyterian meeting houses were established early in Augusta, including Timber Ridge, New Providence, and Falling Spring.
• "Old Side" and "New Side": The Presbyterian community in Augusta County was affected by the split between the "Old Side" and the "New Side" factions. Most churches in the area that became Augusta adhered to the "Old Side".
• Church Discipline: Ministers played a key role in enforcing religious and moral standards within the community. "Public satisfaction" was often required before baptizing children.
• Licensing of Meeting Houses: Although Dissenters had a degree of freedom in the Valley, their meeting houses were required to be licensed and registered with the county courts.
• Oaths and Abjuration: Ministers were required to take oaths to swear allegiance to the British Crown and to disavow the "pretender" to the throne, the Pope of Rome, and transubstantiation.
• Parish Vestries: Even though most members of the vestry in Augusta Parish were Dissenters, they were required to declare their conformity to the Church of England, which many seemed to have done for practical reasons.
• Toleration and Support: The colonial government encouraged the settlement of the Valley, and Dissenters received a degree of toleration, but they were still required to contribute to the support of the established church.
• Growth of other denominations: Over time, other denominations gained a foothold in Augusta County including, Lutherans, German Baptists (Dunkers), and Methodists.
• Later Divisions: The introduction of Watts' Psalms led to divisions within some Presbyterian congregations, illustrating the continuing evolution of religious practices.
• Importance of Religious Practice: Religious observance was a central aspect of life for the Scotch-Irish settlers, reflected in their regular attendance at church, catechizing of children, and keeping of the Sabbath.

In Summary:

The religious practices of the Scotch-Irish evolved from a less devout state to one of fervent faith and strong community focus in Ulster. In Augusta County, the Presbyterian faith was dominant initially, shaped by the experiences of persecution in their homeland, while experiencing a greater level of tolerance. The Scotch-Irish settlers in Augusta County maintained their Presbyterian traditions while also adapting to the unique circumstances of the American frontier, experiencing divisions and changes as other denominations grew in the region.