A Historical Sketch of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Synod

2 KI f 'ORM I I * PR I SHYTFR IAN OM IRC .H . G t ’N I R A L S YNOD H pv . Janies McKinney cam*' from Ireland In 1793. Alexan­ der MrI/rod’s connection with the Reformed Presbyterians was among the first fruits of McKinney’s ministry, as he preached in Princetown, the last of hist series of sermons. He was a very forceful preacher; this last effort led Mr. McF/eod to make his decision. The text of his sermon was Psalms 27:4—"One thing have I desired of the I/Ord, thatwill I seek after; that Imay dwell in the house of^the 1/ord all the days of my life, tobehold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire inHis temple. This wonderful sermon convinced Mr. McLeod, that he should em­ brace the principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mr. McKinney had exiled himself from his native Ireland, lor the following reasons: First, sin, by polluting the consciences of men, by swearing an immoral oath of allegiance to a tyran­ nical government. Second, smfler, by being perhaps shot—on the instant—on the spot or hanged without a trial, at the discretion of a ruffian soldiery; or if trial was allowed, it was a mere mockery, under mart al law, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, resulted in condemnation. Third, to dee and exile oneself from the sepulchres of their lathers. .McKinney chose the latter, and for conscience sake became an exile. At the same time and for the same reason, Rev. William (iib. cn, trom County Antrim, Ireland, accompanied by Messrs. John Clack and Samuel B. Wylie, both graduates of Glasgow cn.versity, became exiles to the United States. In 1798, Revs. McKinney and William Gibson organized them­ selves into a Presbytery; and Messrs. McLeod, Black and Wylie were received as students of theology. About the same time a .\Ir. King, from the Scotch Presbytery arrived in the Carolina*, and was received as a student of theology; and Thomas Donelly, from the University of Glasgow, was also so received. Mr. King soon passed to his reward, but the four other young men in due time were all licensed to preach, at a meeting of Presbytery, held in the home of Mr. Robert Beattie, at Coldenham, N. Y„ June 24. 1 1 99. They were soon all settled in their respective places; .McLeod, in New York and Wallkill; Wylie in Philadel­ phia:* Black, in Pittsburg; and Donelly, in South Carolina. The vine now planted began to grow and bear much fruit. Other