13
October 1724 A.D. Rev.
Adam Boyd—Irish Presbyterian Ordained by New England Presbytery
October 13: The Ordination of Rev. Adam Boyd
What follows provides us with
an interesting insight into the process of licensure and ordination for
ministerial candidates nearly 300 years ago. Here too, our readers find out
where our masthead comes from, namely the source of today’s post: Historical Discourse of the 150th
Anniversary of the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, by J. Smith
Futhey, Esq.
This section appears on pages
42-45 of the above volume:
“The Rev. Adam Boyd, who was
the first regular pastor of this Church, was born in Ballymena, county Antrim, Ireland,
in 1692, and came to New England as a probationer [in this context, the word
means that he was licensed to preach] in 1722 or 1723. While there, he preached
at Dedham. After remaining there for a time, he concluded to return to his
native country, and was furnished by the celebrated Cotton Mather—who esteemed
him well—with a certificate of his good character in this country, dated June
10, 1724. He, however, had formed an attachment to a daughter of Rev. Thomas
Craighead, one of the pioneers of the Irish Presbyterians of New England, and,
relinquishing his design of returning home, came to Pennsylvania, whither Mr.
Craighead and his family had shortly preceded him, bringing with him the
commendatory letter of Cotton Mather, as well as credentials from Ireland, and
was received under the care of New Castle Presbytery. The following is the
minute of Presbytery on the occasion of his reception: “July 29, 1724. The
testimonials of Mr. Adam Boyd, preacher of the gospel, lately come from New
England, were read and approved, and he being interrogated by the moderator,
whether he would submit to this Presbytery, he answered that he would, during
his abode in these parts .” Mr. Craighead had been received as a member of
Presbytery on January 28, 1723-24.
“On the same day on which Mr.
Boyd became a member of Presbytery, he was sent as a supply to Octorara, with
directions to collect a congregation also at Pequea, and take the necessary
steps towards its organization. He was so acceptable to the people that at the
next meeting of Presbytery, September 14, 1724, a call was presented for his
services as a pastor by Cornelius Rowan and Arthur Park, representatives of the
people at Octorara and Pickqua. This call was accepted by him on the 6th of
October, and at the urgent request of the commissioners who presented it, that
an early day should be fixed for his ordination, the Presbytery met at the
“Ackterara Meeting House” on the 13th
of October, 1724, for that purpose.
“At this meeting of
Presbytery—the first held on this spot—there were present as members, Thomas
Craighead, of White Clay creek, George Gillespie, of Head of Christiana, Henry
Hook, of Drawyers, Thomas Evans, of Pencader, and Alexander Hutchinson, of Bohemia,
ministers, and Peter Bouchelle, elder. Mr. Craighead presided as Moderator.
“Mr. Boyd having passed the
usual examination, the minutes of Presbytery record that “Proclamation being
made three times by Mr. George Gillespie, at the door of the meeting house of
Octorara, that if any person had any thing to object against the ordaining of
Mr. Adam Boyd, they should make it known to the Presbytery now sitting, and no
objection being made, they proceeded to his ordination, solemnly setting him
apart to the work of the ministry, with prayer and imposition of the hands of
the Presbytery. Mr. Henry Hook preaching the ordination sermon, and presiding
in the work.”
Words to Live By:
To those of our readers who are not ordained teaching elders, the setting aside
of qualified men to the office of the ministry in our Presbytery meetings may
indeed sound foreign. But in another sense, those who are not ordained and not
attenders of your regional Presbytery meetings still have the written record of
Holy Scripture, such as 1 Timothy 4:14
, where Paul wrote to young pastor Timothy and said, “Do
not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through
prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”
(NASV) The laying on of the hands of the presbytery in our regional
meetings have a biblical basis to them! It may indeed be a worthwhile day for
you to attend as a layman or laywoman the proceedings of your local Presbytery
some Saturday, or whenever they meet during the week. Visitors are welcome.
Just talk to your pastor or a ruling elder for information on the next
meeting. It will enable you to pray more for your church, see the work of
the Spirit in other nearby churches, and realize anew the biblical basis for
being a Presbyterian!
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