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James Renwick Willson (1780-1853)

Database

James Renwick Willson (1780-1853)

James Dodson

Biographical Sketch

Born at near Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1780. In 1795, he joined the Associate Reformed Church, but transferred his membership to the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1798. Graduated with first honours from Jefferson College in 1805. His theological studies included two years under the care of the Dr. Alexander McLeod, of New York, and he was licensed by the Reformed Presbytery, June 9, 1807. He was ordained and installed pastor of the united congregations of Coldenham and Newburgh, Orange County, New York, August 10, 1817. In 1823, the Newburgh branch was dropped, and he remained at Coldenham until his resignation in 1830. He was installed pastor of the Albany congregation, September 17, 1830, but returned to Coldenham, where he was re-installed, November 21, 1833. He was chosen Professor of Theology in 1836. At the creation of the Allegheny Seminary, in 1840, he resigned his charge in Coldenham to accept a professorate in the institution. From 1845 until 1851, he was the sole Professor in the Seminary, which removed from Allegheny to Cincinnati, Ohio and then to Northwood, Ohio. His most famous sermon, “Prince Messiah,” brought forth much controversy. The Legislature in Albany, New York, discussed it for a whole sitting and denounced Willson in the most violent terms. His prayers, which they feared, were banished from the Legislature by unanimous vote. The sermon was burned in a public bonfire and Willson was burnt in effigy before the State House door. He died September 29, 1853.

Works:

Featured
Bedford Medicinal Springs.
Bedford Medicinal Springs.

1811-James Renwick Willson.-One of Willson’s earliest productions, this article shows his familiarity with numerous fields of natural science. Willson was, at this time, disqualified from his ministerial pursuits due to some kind of ailment. As the local classical teacher, in the Bedford Academy, he may have been attracted to the healings properties exhibited by these springs.

Classical Literature.
Classical Literature.

1812-James Renwick Willson.-In this address, Willson, who was a young school teacher at the Bedford Academy, explains to his young scholars the value of learning Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He was himself a trained classical scholar and hoped to instill in his students a love for the classics.

An Interesting Sketch of the Life and Death of Dr. H[arry] [Innes] T[odd], of Kentucky.
An Interesting Sketch of the Life and Death of Dr. H[arry] [Innes] T[odd], of Kentucky.

1817-James Renwick Willson.-This is a very interesting account of the short acquaintance that Willson had with a son of an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme court. The young Dr. Todd fell ill along the way home to Kentucky and was kept in Willson’s company which issued in his conversion before death. This narrative also suggests the harmful effects of the theater on the minds of men, especially youth. It is a cautionary tale which ends in redemption.

A Historical Sketch of Opinions on the Atonement,
A Historical Sketch of Opinions on the Atonement,

1817-James Renwick Willson.-An excellent survey of the various views held concerning the atonement throughout the history of the church showing together with a demonstration of the pervasive belief in vicarious atonement with its relation to the doctrine of predestination. It was written to combat Hopkinsianism.

The Subjection of Kings and Nations to Messiah.
The Subjection of Kings and Nations to Messiah.

1820-James Renwick Willson.-An excellent presentation of the doctrine of the Mediatorial reign of Christ and its implications for all nations and kingdoms. This is the Covenanter postmillennial vision.

Dr. Watts, an Anti-Trinitarian: Demonstrated
Dr. Watts, an Anti-Trinitarian: Demonstrated

1821-James Renwick Willson-This begins with a very pointed response to the rejection of this Review by the editors of the Presbyterian Magazine. What follows Willson’s exposure and critique of Isaac Watts as an antitrinitarian and the implications for church psalmody.

Sermon on Civil Government.
Sermon on Civil Government.

1821-James Renwick Willson.-A sermon showing that the obligation to civil government as well as the obligations of the civil magistrate are founded and grounded in the Moral Law particularly as it is to be discovered in the Fifth Commandment.

“Honour to whom honour is due.”
“Honour to whom honour is due.”

1822-James Renwick Willson.-This address is a moving plea for the honorable disposal of the bodies of the dead, especially those who have died in pursuit of noble causes.

Essay on Tolerance.
Essay on Tolerance.

1823-James Renwick Willson.-In this essay, Mr. Willson attacks one of the most cherished false doctrines of his day and ours, the wicked notion that tolerance is always a good position in religious matters.

A Sermon, on the Glory and Security of the Church of God;
A Sermon, on the Glory and Security of the Church of God;

1825-James Renwick Willson.-A sermon advocating an optimistic future for the church on earth and a call not to fret but to remain faithful is bearing testimony to the truth not compromising with error. In the end, the church will be victorious and the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

Featured
The Sabbath. A Discourse on the Duty of Civil Government in Relation to the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day.
The Sabbath. A Discourse on the Duty of Civil Government in Relation to the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day.

1829-James Renwick Willson.-A sermon on the duties and responsibilities of the civil authorities with respect to enforcing proper Sabbath observance among Christians. It is notable for its assumption that the magistrate does have an obligation to uphold the whole law of God.

The Vow:
The Vow:

1831-James Renwick Willson.-This sacramental sermon focuses on the doctrine of oaths and vows. It discusses the implications of vows for people in various connections, from members of the church to nations. In this, Mr. Willson has much to say about public social covenanting in church and state.

Juries.
Juries.

1832-James Renwick Willson.-In this very short article, written for the American Christian Expositor, Willson tries to explain to the New Lights why they are the ones causing a breach in the Synod by violating Scripture, covenant and church law.

Prince Messiah’s Claims to Dominion Over All Governments: and the Disregard of his Authority by the United States, in the Federal Constitution.
Prince Messiah’s Claims to Dominion Over All Governments: and the Disregard of his Authority by the United States, in the Federal Constitution.

1832-James Renwick Willson.-Two essays: the first, examining the claims of Christ over the nations; and, the second, the application of these claims to the present constitution of the civil government in the United States.

Tokens of the Divine Displeasure, in the Late Conflagrations in New-York, & Other Judgments, Illustrated.
Tokens of the Divine Displeasure, in the Late Conflagrations in New-York, & Other Judgments, Illustrated.

1836-James Renwick Willson.-A sermon that calls attention to the several lamentable dispensations of providence as provoked by national infidelity and negro slavery.

An Address on West India Emancipation.
An Address on West India Emancipation.

1838-James Renwick Willson.-This address by Willson contains a survey of a report by members of the Emancipation society. Willson, who was an ardent supporter of ending negro slavery, spends time vindicating people of African descent from many frivolous charges leveled to deny them freedom. This address is of interest both as a vigorous criticism of slavery while, at the same time, giving assurances that racial integration was not a recipe for miscegenation. Interestingly, Willson asserts that slavery was responsible for mulattoes, quadroons, etc. because it degraded the morals of slave owners.

The Written Law, or the Law of God Revealed in the Scriptures, by Christ as Mediator;
The Written Law, or the Law of God Revealed in the Scriptures, by Christ as Mediator;

1838-James Renwick Willson.-A sermon showing that Christ as Mediator is God equal with the Father, has received a mediatorial kingdom from the Father and  that the law of God revealed in Scripture is his law binding all Christian nations in all things.

Testimony Against the Moral Evils in the Civil Institutions of the United States.
Testimony Against the Moral Evils in the Civil Institutions of the United States.

1839-James R. Willson.-This paper, published in overture by the Synod, is an excellent overview of the Covenanter indictment of the civil institutions of the United States together with a very good critique of some of the deficiencies of the U.S. Constitution.

Consistory—Its Constitution.
Consistory—Its Constitution.

1847-James Renwick Willson.-In this article, Willson discusses the place of deacons in the church consistory. He makes several interesting points respecting Presbyterian church government and also asserts that the office of deacon points to the mediatorial claims of Christ over temporal matters.

Reasons of dissent from the Act of Synod rescinding the Act, which ordered the Congregations to read the lines in the public singing of the praises of God.
Reasons of dissent from the Act of Synod rescinding the Act, which ordered the Congregations to read the lines in the public singing of the praises of God.

1847-James Renwick Willson.-Dissent over the allowance of the Synod of 1847 dispensing with the necessity of lining of the Psalms in the public worship of God. Undoubtedly his reasons are still unpopular with those whose mindset rejects order and charity in the worship of God.

The Heathen Classics Dangerous School Books.
The Heathen Classics Dangerous School Books.

1847-James Renwick Willson.-In this article, Willson decries the immorality which abounds in the literature of the heathen and the unsound principles which they might inculcate. Although a proponent of learning and mastering Latin, Greek and Hebrew, Willson does not wish to see the heathen classics made into schoolbooks corrupting the morals of the youth.

Levitical Functions.
Levitical Functions.

1847-James Renwick Willson.-This unfinished piece, obviously written while the debate over deacons raged in the Reformed Presbyterian church, is burdened to demonstrate the continuity between the Levites and the New Testament deacons. Toward the close, Willson cautions against applying every passage about Levites to deacons because only one order of Levites were commissioned to teach and they are not comparable to the common deacon.

The Christian College.
The Christian College.

1848-James Renwick Willson.-In this article, Willson sets forth his vision for a truly Christian college. This is a college wherein both faculty and students are Christians striving together to improve their minds without sacrificing their spirits. Building on his desire to exclude heathen classics as textbooks, Willson advocates the use of Christian texts for better acquisition of Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

Public Covenanting.
Public Covenanting.

1849-James Renwick Willson.-A terse defense of the binding obligation of the Solemn League and Covenant upon the United States. Willson treads where few American Reformed Presbyterians wish to go explicitly; yet, he demonstrates both the how and why of this obligation with arguments which every real Covenanter must acknowledge as demonstrations.

Covenant Renovation.
Covenant Renovation.

1849-James Renwick Willson.-A short article calling for covenant renovation with special reference to the relation of the Solemn League and Covenant to the United States.

Letters from the West. Nos. I and II.
Letters from the West. Nos. I and II.

1850-James Renwick Willson.-In the first letter, Willson describes the early growth of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America. He commends the acquisition of useful knowledge. The second letter details the organic growth of the church through large families and the education of the youth. It is of interest to see the thoroughness of reading encouraged.

Athaliah—II Chronicles XXIII.
Athaliah—II Chronicles XXIII.

1850-James Renwick Willson.-This very short article calls for a renovation of covenants together with issuing a warning to public leaders using the example of Athaliah.

Seasons of Covenanting.
Seasons of Covenanting.

1850-James Renwick Willson.-A short article pressing for covenant renewal, including the Solemn League and Covenant, because the signs of the times warrant such practice.

Letters from the West,—No. III.
Letters from the West,—No. III.

1850-James Renwick Willson.-In this third letter, Willson explains the growth of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the west. He speaks of the accessions from various Presbyterian bodies in England, Scotland and Ireland, especially those which used the 1650 Psalter.

Pagan Evils in the Church.
Pagan Evils in the Church.

1851-James Renwick Willson.-In this introductory lecture at the theological school of the Reformed Presbyterian church, Dr. Willson gives his catalog of the pagan and worldly elements which have entered the church. He explains how the lust of the eye and the pride of life have allowed practices, including the use of immoral pagan literature and opulent forms of worship, into the life of the church.

Letters from the West.—No. IV.
Letters from the West.—No. IV.

1851-James Renwick Willson.-In his final letter from the West, Willson describes the state of people, including members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, as the push west of the Allegheny mountains to settle land previously unsettled. Willson’s account is blunt in describing the life of the pioneer on the American frontier.

The Fugitive Slave Law.
The Fugitive Slave Law.

1851-James Renwick Willson.-This address attacks the Fugitive Slave Act. Its value stands in its testimony against the practice of negro slavery, which was officially opposed by the Reformed Presbyterians in America as early as 1800. It also contains guidance on matters of civil disobedience and resistance to ungodly laws.

Gog and Magog.
Gog and Magog.

1852-James Renwick Willson.-In this short article, Willson discusses the identity of Gog and Magog. He relates them to the battle of Armageddon and the restoration and conversion of the Jews.

The Flying Roll.
The Flying Roll.

1852-James Renwick Willson.-In this short article, Willson discusses the metaphor of the flying roll and its meaning for the times. He sees it as an emblem for Gospel times, toward the end of the apostasy, when ungodly powers are being brought to their knees.

Hebrew Antiquities.
Hebrew Antiquities.

1853-James Renwick Willson.-In this article, Willson explores the possibility that the ten lost tribes of Israel might be found amongst the tribes of native peoples in North America. His interest is related to the belief in the future conversion of the Jews. This article was picked up by several magazines and books on the subject.

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tags Reformers