1887 RP Synod rules ministers must not give out hymns when serving other churches

Context

At the 1887 Synod, the Reformed Presbyterian Church addressed the practical question of how ministers should conduct themselves when invited to lead services in non-RP congregations. The ruling provides specific guidance for navigating the tension between inter-denominational cooperation and maintaining exclusive psalmody principles.

Extract

Synod gave the following deliverances: That in cases where our ministers conduct services in other Churches, they must not give out hymns of human composition, but use any good version of the Psalms; and, if instrumental music is used, they must have it understood that they do not sanction that part of the service.

Significance

This ruling reveals the RP Church’s uncompromising position on psalmody even in contexts of interdenominational ministry. RP ministers were permitted to serve in other churches but were required to (1) select Psalms rather than hymns for congregational singing, and (2) publicly distance themselves from instrumental music. The phrase “any good version of the Psalms” is notable - it suggests flexibility on the metrical version used while maintaining the principle that only inspired songs were appropriate for worship. This ruling shows how seriously exclusive psalmody was taken as a matter of ministerial integrity, not just congregational practice.