The Reading of the Will

Posted by on March 16, 2008 under Sermons

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any of the images, graphics, or charts on this page.

Barton W. Stone (1772-1844)

  • Born 1772 in Port Tobacco, Maryland
  • Episcopalian, Baptist and Methodist influences
  • Ordained Presbyterian minister in 1796
  • Ministered in Western frontier of Kentucky

The “Log College” Years

  • 1790 – Enrolled in “Log College” and studied law from David Caldwell
  • James McGready – Revival
  • Ended study of law to preach the gospel

Camp Meetings and the Frontier

  • 15th – 17th States
    • Kentucky (1792)
    • Tennessee (1796)
    • Ohio (1803)
  • James McGready:
    • 1800 Revival
    • Logan County, Kentucky

Cane Ridge Meeting House
Cane Ridge Meeting House, Kentucky

Cane Ridge Revival, August 7-12, 1801

  • The “Exercises” – Stone’s Report
    • Falling, Jerking, Barking, Running, Dancing, Laughing, Singing
  • The Significance of Cane Ridge
    1. Sign of God’s Approval
      • The “American Pentecost”
    2. Confirmed Free Will
    3. Importance of Christian Unity

The Springfield Presbytery

  • The Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky questioned Stone and five other ministers …
    1. Their support of the revival
    2. Their cooperation with other Christians
    3. Their doubts about Calvinism

  • They formed a new association – the Springfield Presbytery at Cane Ridge

The Last Will and Testament

    “We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one body, and one spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling.”
    [Read the entire document below.]

“Like Fire in Dry Stubble”

  • Christians or Churches of Christ
      – unifying name
  • 12,000 members by 1820’s
  • Kentucky and Ohio to Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and Illinois
  • Christian Messenger (1826-1844)

Stone’s Beliefs

  • Unity through the Spirit
    • “Let unity be our polar star”
  • Apocalyptic
  • Trinity & Atonement
  • Baptism
    • Practiced immersion but not an absolute test of fellowship

Christian Movements – 1820

  • Leaders
    • Barton Stone, Christian Churches & Churches of Christ
    • Smith-Jones, Christian Connection
    • James O’Kelly, Christian Churches
  • Common Teaching
    1. Bible alone as creed.
    2. The name “Christian.”
    3. Organized congregationally.
    4. Promote Christian unity.
    5. Evangelistic.

The Life of Elder Stone

  • 1819-1828: Established congregations in Kentucky
  • 1824: Met Campbell in Georgetown, Kentucky
  • 1832: The Union
  • 1841: Stroke, paralysis
  • 1844: Died in Hannibal, Missouri, on November 9

Chris Benjamin at Cane RidgeCane Ridge Revival Bicentennial, August 2001
“Let Unity Be Our Polar Star”

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 16 March 2008

The Last Will and Testament of the
SPRINGFIELD PRESBYTERY

For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of the testator; for atestament is of force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all, while thetestator liveth. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die. Verily,verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abidethalone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. Whose voice then shook the earth; butnow he hath promised saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but alsoheaven. And this word, yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that areshaken as of things that are made, that those things which can not be shaken mayremain.–Scripture

      The Presbytery of Springfield, sitting at Caneridge, in the county of Bourbon, being through a gracious Providence, in more than ordinary bodily health, growing in strength and size daily, and in perfect soundness and composure of mind; but knowing that it is appointed for all delegated bodies once to die and considering that the life of every such body is very uncertain, do make and ordain this our Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, viz:

      Imprimis. We will that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large: for there is but one body and one spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling.

      Item. We will, that our name of distinction, with its Reverend title, be forgotten, that there be but one Lord over God’s heritage, and his name one.

      Item. We will, that our power of making laws for the government of the church, and executing them by delegated authority, forever cease; that, the people may have free course to the Bible, and adopt the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

      Item. We will, that candidates for the Gospel ministry henceforth study the holy scriptures with fervent prayer, and obtain license from God to preach the simple Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, without any mixture of philosophy, vain deceit, [2] traditions of men, the rudiments of the world. And let none henceforth take this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

      Item. We will, that the church of Christ assume her native right of internal government–try her candidates for the ministry, as to their soundness in the faith, acquaintance with experimental religion, gravity and aptness to teach; and admit no other proof of their authority, but Christ speaking in them. We will that the church of Christ look up to the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into his harvest; and that she resume her primitive right of trying those who say they are Apostles, and are not.

      Item. We will, that each particular church, as a body, actuated by the same spirit, choose her own preacher, and support him by a free will offering without written call or subscription–admit members–remove offences; and never henceforth delegate her right of government to any man or set of men whatever.

      Item. We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven; and as many as are offended with other books, which stand in competition with it, may cast them into the fire if they choose: for it is better to enter into life having one book, than having many to be cast into hell.

      Item. We will, that preachers and people, cultivate a spirit of mutual forbearance, pray more and dispute less; and while they behold the signs of the times, look up and confidently expect that redemption draweth nigh.

      Item. We will, that our weak brethren, who may have been wishing to make the Presbytery of Springfield their king, and wot not what is now become of it, betake themselves to the rock of ages, and follow Jesus for the future.

      Item. We will, that the Synod of Kentucky examine every member, who may be suspected of having departed from the Confession of faith, and suspend every such suspected heretic immediately; in order that the oppressed may go free, and taste the sweets of Gospel liberty.

      Item. We will, that Ja———, the author of two letters lately published in Lexington, be encouraged in his zeal to destroy partyism. We will, moreover, that our past conduct be examined into by all who may have correct information; but let foreigners beware of speaking evil of things which they know not.

      Item. Finally we will, that all our sister bodies, read their Bibles carefully, that they may see their fate there determined, and prepare for death before it is too late.

  Springfield Presbytery,
June 28th, 1804.

} (L. S.)
  ROBERT MARSHALL,
JOHN DUNLAVY,
RICHARD M’NEMAR,
B. W. STONE,
JOHN THOMPSON,
DAVID PURVIANCE.
Witnesses.

[The Herald of Gospel Liberty (Vol. 1, No. 1, September 1, 1808, pp. 2-3).]


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