“They contained the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechism, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Book of Worship.”

The Rev. Andrew Putnam, moderator-elect of the General Synod of the Associate Presbyterian Church and a member of the Erskine College and Seminary Board of Trustees, made a special presentation last week to Erskine President Dr. David A. Norman in Bowie Chapel on the seminary campus.

Putnam, who is pastor of Tirzah ARP Church near Rock Hill, said he learned of the existence of an old copy of the ARP Standards from 1799.

“The Standards of the ARP Church govern the denomination,” Putnam said.

“They contained the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechism, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Book of Worship.”

Putnam said he made the discovery of the old copy of the ARP Standards through a fellow minister, who told him about a dealer of rare books in the New England area who had the copy.

“I was pleased for the opportunity to purchase it,” Putnam said.

He said the ARP Church maintains an archive of documents in Atlanta, “however, I chose to donate what may be the oldest copy extant, to Erskine College and Seminary.”

Putnam said the book is currently on display in the president’s office in Belk Hall and a copy will be available in the library.