The first half of the nineteenth century saw the flourishing of American religious periodicals that played a significant role in the culture of the day. They informed readers of religious news as well as providing useful educational material regarding church history, doctrine (especially the sponsoring denomination’s), and missionary reports from various denominations. A smattering of political news and commercial advertisements presumably upped the number of subscribers.

Two centuries ago the records of the mainline Presbyterian Church in the young republic included not infrequent accounts of church discipline. A number of cases involved charges of drunkenness (“intemperance” in the language of that day), adultery or fornication, or failing to fulfill a contract or agreement.

In 1829 in the backwoods of East Tennessee, one case stands out. Especially for today’s churches, elders, or members who may struggle to see the necessity of church discipline or its value, this account offers a sweet corrective and encouragement.

First, some quick context. The first half of the nineteenth century saw the flourishing of American religious periodicals that played a significant role in the culture of the day. They informed readers of religious news as well as providing useful educational material regarding church history, doctrine (especially the sponsoring denomination’s), and missionary reports from various denominations. A smattering of political news and commercial advertisements presumably upped the number of subscribers. Those newspapers and periodicals are gems (and some, such as Virginia’s, are being digitized for easy access.)[1]

The Calvinistic Magazine, which began in 1827 under the care of local Presbyterian ministers in Rogersville, Tennessee, is a fine example. The November 1829 issue included the following firsthand account of church discipline by “A SPECTATOR,” who wrote to the editors: “I had heard much said in the course of past life, respecting the republican principles of the Presbyterian Church, but now I had an opportunity of seeing for myself whether these principles were carried out in practice.”[2] The following are the observer’s words—transcribed in full and without edit—describing the meeting of the Synod of Tennessee held at Harmony Church in Greeneville (the synod was the church court above the presbyteries):

There was a case of discipline in which the Synod were called to act, that made a deep impression on my mind. A young man belonging to one of the Presbyteries, had been charged with some imprudencies, which the Presbytery thought it their duty to notice; they also charged him with disregarding the advice of his aged brethren. In their proceedings however, relative to the case, the Presbytery had acted irregularly; and neither the letter nor the spirit of the Presbyterian Discipline, had been duly observed. The whole case, therefore, was thrown into the hands of the Synod, for them to adjudge and issue. After having pointed out the unconstitutional steps of the Presbytery, which rendered their decision null and void, the Synod declared that they found the charges substantiated by the testimony. The young man was then called on by the moderator, to state whether he was prepared to acknowledge the offences with which he was charged, and declare his sorrow for them. He rose in view of the assembly, (for the house was exceedingly crowded) and replied, “I am ready, moderator.”

A place was then pointed out near the Moderator where the young man should take his stand. Deep and awful solemnity pervaded the whole assembly; and as he moved forward to the appointed place,

“There was silence deep as death,
And the boldest held his breath,
for a time.”

His acknowledgement and profession of sorrow and repentance, were then made with christian meekness and humility; after which a solemn admonition was given him from the chair. A prayer was then offered up for the blessing of God, and the transaction closed with singing the following hymn. I felt I had scarcely ever heard a hymn sung with such feeling. The tears streamed over the cheeks of the aged members as they sung, while the voices of the younger ministers were again and again interrupted by strong and uncontrollable emotions. Even the hour, accorded with the introductory lines, for it was about 12 o’clock at night.

“My God, accept my early vows,
Like morning incense in thine house,
And let my nightly worship rise
Sweet as the ev’ning sacrifice.
“Watch o’er my lips, and guard them, Lord,
From ev’ry rash and heedless word;
Nor let my feet incline to tread
The guilty path where sinners lead.
“Oh may the righteous, when I stray,
Smite and reprove my wand’ring way;
Their gentle words, like ointment shed,
Shall never bruise, but cheer my head.
“When I behold them press’d with grief,
I’ll cry to heav’n for their relief;
And by my warm petitions prove,
How much I prize their faithful love.”  

In an age of cynicism marked by daily reports of lying, scamming, and fake-news, many non-Christians and even a number of Christians might breezily dismiss such an account as fantasy. On the contrary, there is every reason to expect this was a faithful account.

Beginning on Wednesday, October 14, 1829, the members of the Synod of Tennessee gathered for the better part of a week. On the 16th, synod took up the case of the young minister whose trial Abingdon Presbytery had “referred to the Rev Synod of Tennessee for their deliberation and final decision.” That day, “Synod heard Mr Holt and Abingdon Presbytery until the parties were satisfied.”

On the 17th, “All the minutes of Abingdon Presbytery relative to the case of Mr Holt were read.” Later, the synod adopted the following minute:

This Synod consider the language of Mr Holt as very reprehensible, for which he ought to have been called to order, and admonished at the time. But as the offensive language was used in opposing an unconstitutional resolution, relative to his own case, & in the heat of debate; and as the procedure of the Pby in suspending him was irregular, Therefore Resolved, that the appeal be and hereby is sustained.[3]

The synod’s committee appointed to handle Abingdon Pby’s request for the higher court’s deliberation had drafted a report which the synod adopted. It read:

1^st That The Synod of Tennessee believe the charges against the Rev. D.R. Holt of imprudent intimacy with Mrs Wm Jones, and disregard of the advice of his brethren are sustained by the testimony; and as they consider it of the highest importance that the deportment of Ministers of the gospel should be pure and above reproach and exhibit the spirit which feels “Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil”—They feel it their duty to require from Mr Holt the following [acknowledgement].

I, David R. Holt, believe my deportment towards Mrs [W.] Jones was imprudent familiarity, calculated to injure her character, my standing, the honor of the ministry and to effect deeply the prosperity of religion—and I sincerely regret it. Moreover I acknowledge my criminal disregard to the christian admonition of my brethren in the ministry, and I sincerely lament this conduct.    

2^nd That Mr. Holt be admonished and rebuked from the chair.

3^rd That if he will not comply with these requirements, he be and hereby is suspended.

4^th That the Synod of Tennessee wish it to be distinctly understood that they view Mr Holt as entirely free from any criminal intercourse with the lady in question.

The moderator then enquired of Mr Holt if he was ready to make the above acknowledgements; when he answered in the affirmative. Mr Holt then came forward and made the required acknowledgements, was admonished & rebuked from the chair, to which he submitted and took his seat as a member of Abingdon Pby in good standing.

The Synod of Tennessee’s minutes were entirely consistent with SPECTATOR’s narrative in the Calvinistic Magazine one month later. Synod then adjourned to meet on Monday morning, and concluded with prayer.[4]

As an aside, the ministers who participated in this lengthy ordeal were the brethren of Rev. Samuel Doak (1749-1830), a courageous, pioneering Presbyterian who founded several churches in the region as well as one of the first schools west of the Alleghenies. He is perhaps best known, however, for his sermon and prayer in late September 1780 for the “Overmountain Men” who were soon to confront the Loyalists under British Major Patrick Ferguson at King’s Mountain, North Carolina. (I recommend a visit to this battle site.) The Southern theater had become the more important in the war—the Northern had stalemated—and the upcoming fight was critical to the Patriot cause as well to the safety of the pioneer families and their homes west of the mountains. Doak sent the men off to battle with a prayer that ended with, “Help us as good soldiers to wield the SWORD OF THE LORD AND GIDEON. AMEN.”

Presbyterian brethren of today, church discipline can be exhausting—physically, mentally, and spiritually. But if we are to be found faithful bondservants of our faithful Redeemer, it must be done. Under the blessing of God, it may be a beautiful thing, as it was two centuries ago. May we be encouraged by such an example of church discipline carried out biblically and constitutionally; to the honor of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, and the King and Head of the Church.

Forrest L. Marion is a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church (PCA), Crossville, Tennessee.

[1] See the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Chronicle, accessed at https://www.virginiachronicle.com/ (May 13, 2025). This digital archive includes hundreds of newspapers, many of them political papers but also a number of religious (denominational) periodicals.

[2] As is still practiced today, as a general rule Presbyterian courts are open to visitors, or in this case to “A SPECTATOR,” with sensitive matters that require a closed portion of a meeting the exception that proves the rule. Just as with various accounts of specific events recorded in the Bible—Luke’s narrative in Acts comes immediately to mind—if the account at the Presbyterian church in Greeneville on Friday night, October 16, 1829, had been fabricated then we should expect that someone who was present must have acted in response, speaking out, perhaps publishing his own version of what actually transpired.

[3] Records, Synod of Tennessee, October 1829, 156-58 (original manuscript, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia).

[4] Abingdon Presbytery was divided in 1827 and Holston Presbytery erected. Later, Holston transcribed so much of the “Old Records of Abingdon Presbytery” as pertained to Holston Pby. The “Old Records” revealed that the Holt in view was David Rice Holt, who was licensed by Abingdon Pby in 1824 and ordained in 1827.