IV. Proscription Grows in Religious Bodies

By 1843 proscription for holding premillennial views was recorded in the case of John Lillie, in the New York presbytery, through the imposition of a test on what previously had been held as personal opinion and private judgment. The decision brought protests over obvious infringement. Here is the record:PFF4 770.4

“In November last, the Rev. John Lillie, ... submitted to an examination in compliance with the rules of the [New York] Presbytery, which examination was entirely satisfactory, and he declared himself willing sincerely, and cordially to receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of that church, as the confession of his faith, and to answer in the affirmative all the questions proposed to the candidates for the ministry. Then the Presbytery proceeded to question him on subjects not named in the public standards of that church, which had always been regarded as matters of opinion and private judgment, a new test of ministerial communion.PFF4 771.1

“In this examination he avowed his belief in a personal premillennial Advent of Christ, and that he will reign with his risen and changed saints at least 1000 years. For this cause alone the Presbytery rejected him, but refused to assign or record the reason of his rejection.PFF4 771.2

“He denied any connection with the doctrine of the Advent in 1843, but merely believed in the pre-millennial Advent, as millions in all ages have believed it. This result shows the growing disposition there is in the church, to erase from its connection all traces of this holy and ancient doctrine.” ^{18“High Handed Measure of the New York Presbytery,” Signs of the Times, July 5, 1843, p. 141. (See also Presbyterian Records, 1842.)}PFF4 771.3

The steadily growing ecclesiastical opposition included the Congregationalist authorities of Vermont, as Lyman Lovewell, under date of June 7, attests:PFF4 771.4

“Opposers of the Advent near, seem to be banded-pledged together that nothing more shall be done, the most deadly opposition is made by the Pastors and principle [sic.] of the flock—so we can see the force of the awful warning of Jeremiah in the last verse of 25 chapter.PFF4 771.5

“The Association of Congregational ministers with which I am connected—(which too is called the most liberal in the State,) have passed a resolve that will exclude all further teachings in this name—for it is enacted that no Congregational minister shall preach or lecture in any town where the minister is opposed if ‘all the church and people do wish to hear.’ ...PFF4 771.6

“Now we have pitied the poor Methodists and others under Episcopacy, and boasted of the democracy of our broad and liberal platform. In many towns, the larger portion of the church (common people) are willing, and even anxious to hear on the subject [the second advent], but some two or three of the more popular and mighty ones, will manage to overrule the whole, and such men of course do not want to see Jesus.” ^{19Lyman Lovewell, “The Cause in Vermont,” Signs of the Times, July 5, 1843, p. 142.}PFF4 771.7

Then follows his sobering conclusion:PFF4 772.1

“Brethren we are on the very borders of the Judgment, it is time tor us to be separate from those who know not God, if we would escape the destruction mentioned by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1 chapter.” ^20Ibid.PFF4 772.2