Rankin raises psalmody at Cane Run Conference (1785) - 'apple of discord'

Source: history-of-the-presbyterian-church-in-the-state-of-kentucky-with-a-preliminary-sketch-of-the-churches-in-the-valley-of-virginia
Page: 75
Type: quote
Confidence: high
Date mentioned: 1785
Topics: psalmody-controversy rankin-case cane-run-conference kentucky-presbyterians
People: adam-rankin david-rice james-crawford terah-templin
Places: Kentucky, Cane Run, Holstein
Institutions: transylvania-presbytery

Context

The Cane Run Conference (July 12, 1785) was a foundational gathering of Kentucky Presbyterians - ministers, probationers, and representatives from twelve congregations meeting to organize churches and plan for future Presbytery formation. This was a year after Rankin’s arrival, and he chose this moment to raise the psalmody question.

Extract

The harmony of the Conference was at one time in danger of being interrupted by the introduction of the vexed question of Psalmody. The person who proposed the queries was Mr. Rankin, whose mind had long been absorbed by this subject. On account of the opposition made to his rigid views he had left the Holstein settlements, and now threw the apple of discord among the young and promising churches of Kentucky.

His ministerial brethren entirely dissented from his sentiments; and while he viewed them as latitudinarian, they regarded him as a bigot.

Significance

This brief extract captures the origin moment of the Kentucky psalmody controversy:

  1. The “apple of discord”: Davidson’s classical allusion (Eris throwing the golden apple that started the Trojan War) frames Rankin as deliberately introducing conflict into an otherwise harmonious gathering

  2. “Vexed question”: The term suggests psalmody was already known to be contentious - not a new issue

  3. Earlier pattern confirmed: Rankin “had left the Holstein settlements” “on account of the opposition made to his rigid views” - the Kentucky conflict was a repeat of Virginia

  4. Competing labels:

    • Rankin viewed the other ministers as “latitudinarian” (too lax, compromising on doctrine)
    • They regarded him as a “bigot” (unreasonably narrow, intolerant)

  5. Unanimous opposition: “His ministerial brethren entirely dissented from his sentiments” - from the start, Rankin stood alone among Kentucky Presbyterian ministers

This is the first Kentucky moment of the conflict that would culminate in Rankin’s trial seven years later. The framing of mutual labels (latitudinarian vs. bigot) perfectly captures the two sides’ self-understanding.