Monthly scrap book, for October/Reformed Presbyterian Church; or Cameronians

———

Reformed Presbyterian Church; or, Cameronians.

This body now assume the name of Old Presbysterian Dissenters. They are peculiarly distinguished in the page of history as "The Covenanters" from the very active part their forefathers acted previous to the Revolution in 1688. These Scottish reformers found it necessary at that period to unite in various solemn bonds or covenants, for promoting and maintaining the interests of true religion, as well as for their mutual defence; and they are still strenuous advocates for the binding obligation of the national covenant of Scotland, and of the solemn league and covenant of the three kingdoms. Various names have been bestowed upon them.—Their most general appellation "Cameronians," is derived from the rev. Richard Cameron, who fell at Air moss, in Kyle, 20th of July, 1680:--Mountain-men, from their having often been obliged, even in modern times, to administer the ordinances in the open fields.—They have been also stiled "Anti-government-people;" but which they reject with indignation. It is, however true, that they entertain decided scruples as to the terms, or fundamental conditions, on which persons are admitted into places of power and trust in the nation. Could they, in judgment and conscience, approve of these; did they them agreeable to the plainly revealed will of God, which they consider as the standard of human conduct, in civil, as well as in religious, society; and could they once be persuaded in their own minds, that they are consistent with the fundamental laws of the kingdom, in the purest time of that reformation, to which they wish still to adhere; instead of differing from the other inhabitants of Britain, about the acknowledgement of the civil powers, they would find a pleasure in concurring with them. But plainly perceiving that the present terms of advancement to power are of a different description, and especially, seeing that an unwarranted supremacy over the church of Christ is made an essential part of the constitution, and the support of it, in their respective stations, the positively fixed and indispensible conditions upon which persons are admitted to fill the several places of power; the Old Dissenters cannot, in judgment approve, but find themselves under the disagreeable necessity of openly entering their protest against national backsliding, either in church of state. Meanwhile, let it be observed, that after publicly entering their dissent from the Revolution settlement of church and state, and candidly assigning their reasons, it ever hath been, and they trust ever shall be, their study to live peaceably and inoffensively, without giving disturbance either ⟨to⟩ small or great.