In 1804, Barton Stone and a handful of Presbyterian ministers in Kentucky made the radical decision to just use their Bibles for teaching in the church, to have independent churches, and not to use sectarian names for their congregations. To do that, they had to put to death the presbytery they had recently formed as a way of removing themselves from the control of the Presbyterian church. In a moment of whimsy, they decided to write a will for this group and then declare it to be dead.
I regularly post this document because it sparked a love for learning about “churches of Christ” and where we came from intellectually and culturally. My prayer is history will repeat it self in someone’s life today. What you will find on this page is about half of the document. It is easy to find online, including at the link below:
“The Presbytery of Springfield, sitting at Caneridge…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, traditions of men, or the rudiments of the world…
Item. We will, that the church of Christ resume 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 laborers 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 a written call or subscription–admit members–remove offences; and never henceforth delegate her right of government to any man or set of man 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 the redemption draweth nigh.
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 the redemption draweth nigh.
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 28, 1804
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Last_Will_and_Testament_of_The_Springfield_Presbytery
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