T the Chartiers Meeting-house, on Aug. 2, 1808, the Presbytery met and heard read an extract of the minutes of the Synod which had held its sessions in Philadelphia in May. It is stated on page 178 of Chartiers Presbytery Minutes that Presbytery dissented from Synod's finding that it had been guilty of breach of agreement in its dealing with Mr. Campbell, and also, "against removing the suspension from Mr. C. while the grounds of it were not examined." On the following day the members of the Presbytery declared adherence to a testimony that covered the opposite of the first five of the charges against Mr. Campbell.

      Chartiers Presbytery had a meeting on Sept. 13, 1808, at Burgettstown. Mr. Campbell, having finished two assigned months of service in the Presbytery of Philadelphia, came to his home Presbytery and found that no assignments had been made for him. On page 183 we find Mr. Campbell asking Presbytery why it had not mapped out a course of service for him.

"Reply was not sure that Mr. C. would be within their bounds, as he had signified his intention to be within bounds of Presb'y of Phil'a on account of his family [probably meaning the arrival of his family from Ireland]. Nor had [86] Mr. C. taken care to inform any of time he would be within our bounds."

      "Mr. C. then asked, 'he wished to know on what footing the P'b'y considered him as one of their members.' Presb'y said a member on account of what Synod had done and to be within their bounds."

      Then arose a controversy about reports that had been made about him and what purported to be extracts from Synod's minutes. The basis of the controversy possibly was a failure of the clerk of Synod to record all that Mr. Campbell had said when he agreed to submit to censure, for Mr. Campbell repudiated entirely the idea that he had agreed to censure because he had been convinced that he was in error in opinion of doctrine (p. 183).

"And to prove these assertions, he proposed to read a paper, which he called an authentic extract of the Synod's procedure in his case, given by Mr. Pringle, the Synod's clerk, and signed by him in the presence of Mr. Armstrong, as this paper (speaking nothing about the report of the Committee upon Mr. Campbel's case and stating that he submitted to censure on condition that his deference to the judgment of brethren and his desire not to appear refractory should be understood as the reason of his submission) appeared so inconsistent with the Extract sent by the Synod's clerk, that the representation given by this paper of the Synod's procedure in Mr. Campbel's case might be justly deemed partial and even false; the Presb'y therefore agreed to read the official extract. Which [87] being done, Mr. Campbel declared that this extract was a very unfair and unjust account of what was done in Synod, as it contained a report of the Committee upon his case which was different from their true report to the Synod, and which he never heard read in Synod, and as it did not contain the condition mentioned in his paper upon which he said he had submitted to censure."

      Thus reads the report of the Committee which is referred to, but it would seem that it had not stuck in the minds of the delegates from Chartiers to the Synod that after the report of the Committee which found Mr. Campbell guilty, and that his "answers to the first two articles of charge especially are so evasive, unsatisfactory and highly equivocal . . . and are sufficient, ground to infer censure," it was allowed that Mr. Campbell should be heard more fully (pp. 192, 193 and 194). The Synod's clerk wrote in the minutes,

"In the course of a long conversation, Mr. C. gave, such explanations as the Synod considered pretty satisfactory in regard to the 1st, 2d and 3rd articles. On the 4th article the Synod judged his explanations not satisfactory; and agreed to require that whatever sentiments he might have on the subject of occasional hearing from the rest of the Synod, he should abstain from teaching them in public or private. He declared his purpose to avoid giving offense on this head as much as possible. On the ground of the above explanations and resolution the Synod proceeded to consider in what manner the affair should be issued."

It will be seen, therefore, that [88] after seeming to accept the report of the Committee, Synod heard Mr. Campbell and was persuaded that he was less a heretic than the report of the Committee made him out to be. Its action and minutes virtually reverse the report of the Committee, and this fact was not weighed, it seems, by the Presbytery of Chartiers. It must be recalled also that Mr. Campbell resented the words "evasive, unsatisfactory and highly equivocal" in the report of the committee, and gave notice of reasons of dissent that he proposed to present. Mr. Campbell handed in a "remonstrance" on the afternoon of May 26, and through it gained the consent of Synod to reconsider their deed concerning him (p. 195). At a meeting at 6:00 o'clock in the morning of May 27, Mr. Campbell was represented by a letter that bore heavily against Synod for adjudging him guilty of evasion and equivocation, charged Synod with partiality and injustice, and declined their authority (p. 196). He was summoned in person after the letter had been rend and agreed to take back his letter. At the 9:30 o'clock meeting, morning of May 27, as we read on page 197,

"The Synod reconsidered their judgment in the case or Mr. Campbell, finding his answers on the two first articles of charge evasive, unsatisfactory and highly equivocal. A motion was made that the word 'evasive,' be erased, and after some conversation was agreed to."

      Richardson's Memoirs of Alexander Campbell (Vol. I., p. 229) deals with this phase of the trial. [89] he reports the findings of the Committee on the first two articles of charge, but fails to notice what has been stressed here; namely, that Mr. Campbell had virtually cleared himself, before Synod, of fault as to the first three articles of libel, and that he had secured the elimination from the report of the committee of the obnoxious word "evasive," though one wonders why he did not object just as strenuously to, "highly equivocal." It can be seen that if the Presbytery of Chartiers was basing its report and state of the case upon the report of the Synod committee only, it was thoroughly misrepresenting the action and stand of Synod and also the attitude of Mr. Campbell. Moreover, if the clerk of Synod had furnished as extracts just the report of the committee and not the actions that followed as pointed out above, and if Mr. Campbell, because he was the most interested person, had included in his papers such items as have been set forth and documented, it could be seen how that Presbytery might be thinking in terms of additions to the minutes of Synod on Mr. Campbell's part, and he of suppressions on the part of the Presbytery.

      Passing again to the session of Presbytery at Burgettstown on Sept. 13, 1808 ("Minutes Chartiers Presbytery," p. 184), we read between the lines that there must have been rather sharp words and possibly charges of falsehood, with the result that Mr. Campbell took from the hands of the clerk of Presbytery the paper that he had presented as a copy of the minutes of Synod concerning his case, and

"then in his own name and in the name of [90] all who adhered to him, he declined the authority of this Presbytery for reasons formerly given, the authority of the Associate Synod of North America and all the courts subordinate thereto; and all further communion with them. He then offered to read another paper, which he said, contained reasons for his declinature. He was directed to lay this paper on the Presbytery's table; but he refused to do so. And having been told that unless he did so, it would be improper to permit the reading of it; and being further interrogated about it, it was a letter he had given in to the Synod at their last meeting, declining their authority: acknowledging that he had then taken it back, but since that time had seen cause to adhere to it."

The lateness of the hour brought on an adjournment.

      On the succeeding day, September 14, Mr. Campbell was not present, but there was noted a letter from him which was a "Declinature the same as the previous verbal one." This paper is probably the one which is given in full on pages 17 and 18 of Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, of which so much was thought that he had diligently preserved it, although the paper bears no date nor address. In the same Mr. Campbell makes reference to Mr. Ramsey especially as diligently demanding before the Synod the issue of a trial. It was the unanimous opinion that Mr. Campbell's conduct demanded censure. Action was taken that he immediately be suspended from ministerial office, "which sentence was accordingly pronounced by the [91] Moderator as the mouth of the Presbytery in the name of the Lord Jesus." The reasons of suspension proceeded upon are based unjustly, it seems to the writer, upon the report of the committee, which was modified by the Synod, and really and in fact destroyed, as shown above. However, here follow the reasons for the suspension of Mr. Campbell:

1. "That Mr. C. denies that he has any conviction of having expressed erroneous sentiments as has been specified by the Committee of the Synod upon his case, and also denies that he submitted to censure on any such account, thus he places himself in precisely the same situation he was in when the Synod judged him worthy of censure, and agreed that if satisfaction were not given by him, he should be suspended from his office: he forfeits all the privilege he was to have obtained by submitting to censure and makes it necessary for the Presb'y to carry the Synod's resolution into effect, and he, must necessarily be considered as still under process. 2. That by declining the authority of the Ass. Synod and of this Presb'y and of all other courts belonging to the Synod, he tramples upon all authority which alone gave him any right to exercise the office of a minister. 3. That he declines the authority of the Synod and Presb'y and their communion without so much as presuming to find fault with the doctrine, worship and government maintained by these courts. 4. That the instances of discipline he pretends to complain of in the procedure of the Presb'y and Synod, were no other than what he had submitted before to the Synod at [92] Philadelphia before he came into the bounds of this Presbytery and take his seat in it by appointment of Synod; and therefore, they cannot be, the grounds of his declining their authority now. . . ." "Mr. Campbell was appointed to be cited to attend at their next meeting in order to be further dealt with. It was agreed that intimation should be made of the suspension of Mr. Campbel to all the congregations belonging to this Presbytery and to other Presby's belonging to the Synod."

      In minutes of a sitting of Presbytery at Monture's Run Meetinghouse on Nov. 2 , 1808, we read:

"The clerk was appointed to send citation to the Rev'd Thomas Campbell . . . to appear in the next Presb'y meeting to be, farther dealt with." Nothing is read about Mr. Campbell's case until on May 3 at Mt. Pleasant Meetinghouse in the following year of 1809. Then it is "A draught of Remonstrance against certain decisions and steps of procedure of the Associate Synod in the case of Mr. Campbel having been produced by the Com. appointed to prepare was read and ordered sent to the Synod. Transcript also of procedure in Mr. C's case since last meeting of the Synod."

      So again we go to the session of Synod, this time at Philadelphia. It began that year of 1809 on May, 17, but not until the third day, May 19, do we find the case taken up. On page 202 of "Minutes of Associate Synod," we, read:

"Read an extract from the minutes of the P'b'y of Chartiers, stating that in Sept. last Mr. Th. Campbell had declined s'd p'b'y, this Synod and all courts [93] subordinate thereto, and that they had suspended him from his office; and requesting the Synod's advice as to further procedure in his case. Appointed Messrs. Pringle, Smith, Hamilton and Bruce a committee to consider and report on the advice to be given to the p'b'y of Chartiers on the case referred to. On motion, Resolved that considering it appears from the minutes of the p'b'y of Chartiers that Mr. Campbell has declined as aforesaid his name should be erased from the roll. Mr. Campbell gave, in a paper entitled 'Declaration and Address to the Ass. Synod; and s'd paper was referred to the committee now appointed.'"

In the afternoon of May 19, report was called for from the committee to whom had been committed Mr. Campbell's last paper, and it was this:

"That Mr. Campbell have liberty to withdraw his paper, because it recognizes his declinature of subjection to this Synod, reflects on the p'b'y of Chartiers in his own case, and contains proposals inconsistent with our received principles."

Before a vote was taken the paper itself was read. We know nothing of the contents except from the few words in the committee's report, but the report was agreed to. Then "Mr. Campbell craved extracts and it was agreed to." On page 203 is found the report of the committee that was to draught advice for the Presbytery of Chartiers, and it was this:

"That the p'b'y either sist further process or proceed according to ordinary rules, to inflict higher censure, as the nature of the case may require, or the state of the church render [94] necessary and expedient."

Then the minutes of the Synod are taken up with the matters at issue between them and the, Presbytery of Chartiers. The Presbytery was determined to secure a rescinding of Synod's stand as to their first judgment against Mr. Campbell. The Rev's John Anderson and James Ramsay were the Presbytery's representatives, and they remonstrated up to such point that finally, on May 20, the Synod dismissed their protests on several grounds, the first which reads:

"Because of the indecency of the language, charging the Synod with arrogance, weakness, folly, &c., besides other harsh expressions unfit to be used in any case, especially by an inferior court to a superior" (p. 209).

On Tuesday, May 23, 1809, occurs the notation:

"A letter inclosing a Fifty Dollar note, refunding a like sum given him by the Synod in May, 1807, was rec'd from Mr. Th. Campbell. The clerk was directed to give him a receipt."

On Wednesday, May 24, a synodical letter was adopted, and the same was spread on the minutes. On page 217 there is a paragraph which may be interpreted as relating to Mr. Campbell as well as to others:

"We have heard with concern of the separation from you of some brethren with whom you took sweet counsel and walked together to the house of God. By this distressing occurrence parties are multiplied, animosity excited, temptations to unsteadfastness in profession extended, and occasions given to the enemies of the Lord to triumph. Tho such a division must cause great searching and [95] grief of heart, we rejoice in beholding your order and steadfastness in the faith and patience in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ."

      "p. s. It is thought necessary to inform you that Mr. John Smith was deposed for scandal in 1806. And Mr. Peter McMillan for D'r [short for 'drunkenness'] in 1807. And that Mr. Th. Campbell has declined the authority of the Synod and is suspended."

Thus they classed Mr. Campbell with scandal-mongers and drunkards, but said nothing of those ministers of Chartiers Presbytery who were resolved to undo Mr. Campbell by impoverishing him, by misrepresenting his state with Synod and provoking him to take the step which gave the reverend brethren of the Presbytery excuse to unfrock him.

      Chartiers Presbytery was not yet done with Mr. Campbell, even though he had repaid his monetary obligation to the Synod. At Chartiers Meeting-house on July 4, 1809, this action was taken:

"On motion the question was put Sist procedure in Mr. Campbel's case, or proceed according to the rules of the church. Carried to proceed. A summons ordering Mr. C. to appear at next meeting of Presb'y."

      "Burgettstown, Aug. 5, 1809. . . . Received information that Mr. C. had been served with a summons to appear at this meeting according to the appointment of last meeting, but on being called, he was found to be not present. Wherefore appointed to be served with another summons at the next ordinary meeting at Chartiers on the [96] last Wed. of October."

But in the record of that meeting on Oct. 26, 1809, there is no note of the name of Mr. Campbell or action that touched him.

      And not until on April 17 of the following year, 1810, do we come to the real end of the matter on Presbytery part. At the meeting at Mt. Pleasant Meeting-house, Mr. Alison reported that the third citation had been delivered to Mr. Campbell. Then there is noted

"A paper subscribed by Mr. Campbel in answer to the citations that had been sent him by the Presb'y."

Nothing appears to indicate the nature of that paper, whether hostile, conciliatory, appealing, or what. On the following day, April 18, we discover the following as a part of the minutes of Presbytery's actions:

"The Presb'y having agreed to enter upon the consideration of Mr. Campbel's case, the minutes of Presb'y respecting his suspension were read and also his answer sent in writing to Presby's last citation. After considering this answer, and finding that it contained nothing to stop procedure in his case, the question was put, 'Inflict higher censure upon Mr. C. for the reasons of his suspension specified in the minutes of the Presby's meeting at Burgettstown, on Sept. 14, 1808, and for contumacy in not appearing to answer the citations that have been sent him, or not?' Question carried in the affirmative. After which, and a member having been employed in prayer, the question was first put, Whether or not the censure that ought to be inflicted in this case be deposition and suspension from sealing ordinances? [97] Which was carried in the affirmative. After which another question--to be inflicted now! Carried in the affirmative. Accordingly the Presbytery did and hereby do depose Mr. Campbel from the office of the Holy Ministry, and from sealing ordinances for the reasons above mentioned. Agreed to send an extract of this deposition of Mr. Campbell to the Synod and to intimate it to the congregations under, our inspection."

      So ends On page 206 of the "Minutes of Chartiers Presbytery" the relation of Mr. Thomas Campbell with the same Presbytery in their estimation. But it had been much earlier in the mind of Mr. Campbell, for he had been studying the matters of church authority, creeds and confessions of faith, and the divisions that were extant among the people of God.

      Rather early in 1809, Mr. Campbell had conceived the idea of forming a Christian Association which should not be a church, but in agency for helping to propagate the ideas or Christian union. He had found many sympathetic hearers, and they were described as "persons of different religious denominations, most of them in an unsettled state, as to a fixed gospel ministry." At a formal meeting at Buffalo, Aug. 17, 1809, twenty-one of those present were named to meet and confer together, and with the assistance of Elder Thomas Campbell to determine upon the proper means to carry into effect the important ends of their Association (The Christian Association of Washington). Out of that appointment and the [98] conferences which followed came the "Declaration and Address," which has created a profound impression ever since its publication.

      It is very unfair and unjust that there should appear in the biographical sketch of Thomas Campbell in the Manual of the United Presbyterian Church, which church has fallen heir to some of the Seceder congregations and ministers referred to in this account, a statement that the body, which grew up out of the foundations which Thomas Campbell was discovering in the last years of his life as a Seceder minister, has both a written and an unwritten creed. From the days when their most bitter and insulting enemies called them derisively "Campbellites" or "Campbellite Baptists," through the period when the name "Reformers" and "Restorers" had some vogue, until these present days, in which they have in brotherly fashion been conceded the right to call themselves and be called "Christians," "Disciples of Christ" and their congregations "Churches of Christ" or "Christian Churches" (but none of these names exclusively), there is not to be found an individual or a congregational group, claiming or acknowledging a written (in the sense of humanly composed) or an unwritten creed. Mr. Campbell never felt that he was making one in the "Declaration and Address," never encouraged any one so to think of it, nor did he ever urge any one over whom he had influence to prepare and publish a creed to take the place of any already in the field of religion. He grew out of the creeds to [99] which the Seceder body gave allegiance and came to feel that nothing ought to take the place of the Bible, especially the New Testament, in the life and attention of a church or an individual. [100]

[TCSCUA 86-100]