Synod of Scioto condemns Mason for 'using a system of psalmody which the constitution and standards of the church not only do not recognize, but condemn'

Source: arp-south-history
Page: 250-251
Type: quote
Confidence: high
Date mentioned: 1811
Topics: psalmody-controversy mason-controversy synod-level-conflict arp-standards
People: John M. Mason J. M. Matthews J. X. Clarke Dr. Romeyn
Places: Chillicothe, Ohio, New York
Institutions: Synod of Scioto General Synod Presbyterian Church

Context

This passage records the Synod of Scioto’s formal response to Dr. John M. Mason’s use of Presbyterian psalmody when he conducted worship in a Presbyterian congregation. The General Synod had declined to censure Mason, which the Synod of Scioto regarded as tantamount to approving his conduct. The Synod of the Carolinas subsequently expressed “concurrence in sentiment” with these resolutions.

Extract

WHEREAS, In consequence of reports having been in circulation that the Rev. Messrs. Dr. Mason, J. M. Matthews and J. X. Clarke, had joined in communion with the Presbyterian Church, and that Dr. Mason having received an invitation from Dr. Romeyn to conduct the public worship of his congregation, had conformed on that occasion to the established order of worship in that church, which reports had excited no small degree of dissatisfaction in various parts of this church… it merited disapprobation; therefore,

Resolved, That this Synod do hereby express their decided disapprobation in the conduct of these brethren in violating the order of communion established in this church; and of Dr. Mason, in particular, in using a system of psalmody which the constitution and standards of the church not only do not recognize, but condemn.

Significance

This extract documents the official denominational condemnation of Mason’s psalmody practice:

  1. “Not only do not recognize, but condemn”: The Synod of Scioto uses the strongest possible language—the ARP standards actively “condemn” the Presbyterian psalmody system, not merely fail to authorize it.

  2. Multi-synod response: This wasn’t a local matter—the Synod of Scioto formally communicated its resolutions to other synods, and the Synod of the Carolinas concurred, showing psalmody triggered denomination-wide controversy.

  3. “No small degree of dissatisfaction”: The reports about Mason’s conduct caused widespread discontent throughout the ARP, not just among a few strict adherents.

  4. Precipitating institutional rupture: This 1811 controversy directly led to the Synod of the Carolinas’ eventual separation—making Mason’s use of Presbyterian psalmody one of the triggering events for ARP division.

  5. Psalmody as communion-related: The passage links psalmody violation to communion violation—both were seen as breaches of denominational order requiring formal response.