The idea
Our movement is built on institutional self-sacrifice, and the willingness to lay down every obstacle to unity and freedom. And to relentlessly embrace the priesthood of all believers.
How it connects
- Chapter 2's echo in the other founding stream: the same heresy machinery, five years earlier, with a different ending — the five walked together, built something, and then laid it down.
- Returns the class to the very room of Chapter 1: the Last Will was signed in the Cane Ridge meetinghouse, where the communion tables stood three years before.
Events
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The Springfield Presbytery Formed
1803
Facing proceedings against Richard McNemar's preaching, five ministers withdraw from the Synod of Kentucky and constitute their own presbytery — and refuse to un-church the body that was un-churching them.
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Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery
1804
Stone and colleagues dissolve their presbytery to pursue unity simply as Christians.
Documents
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Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery
28 June 1804
Barton W. Stone and four fellow ministers publicly dissolved their Presbyterian judicatory, surrendering titles and authority so the congregation at Cane Ridge and its partners could simply be known as "Christians."
Read aloud
We will that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large.
The Bible alone is our rule of faith and practice.