This play, based upon the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, is historically correct.

SCENE I: The home of Finis Ewing

SCENE II: The grove outside of Old Log House, home of Samuel McAdow, Dickson County, Tennessee

SCENE III: A room in the McAdow home.

Place: Room in the house of Finis Ewing
Time: Morning

(Mrs. Ewing is sitting at the fireplace knitting. She speaks softly and musingly, as one who is thinking aloud.)

MRS. EWING: Poor Finis! There have been so many things put in his way since he began to be a minister. Yet it is never an easy road for one who is truly called of God. However, he has had more than his share of trouble. (Musingly) He has been treated with neither the justice or the brotherly love that a Presbytery should show toward a brother. In the first place the Commission, which was appointed by the Synod and given full Synodic power, was an illegal thing. They had no right to ask Finis, and Samuel King and McLean and others to submit to examination. (She pauses again as she smiles gently) I'm glad they did not submit. It is better to obey the voice of God rather than the voice of man. And now they have been judged–judged by men and found wanting by men, but not in the sight of God. No, in His sight they have been found faithful and courageous. I do wish Finis wouldn't worry so about it. Even if the General Assembly has sanctioned the action of the Synod and Transylvania Presbytery refuses to take them into its folds, surely the Almighty Father will not suffer His servants to be without a place to work. Surely, he will not allow these to be lost from His work; not these who believe and preach a whosoever will Gospel in the midst of this hardened Calvinistic territory. Surely He will not forsake them when they dared to say that there are no eternal reprobates, that all infants dying in infancy are saved through Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit, and that Christ died for all men, and not for just a part. (She stares into space and then resumes her knitting).

(Ewing enters through the door at the right of the stage.)
MRS. EWING: Well, Finis, Dear, was there a letter today? I thought perhaps some of the springhill folks would write.

EWING: No, Peggy, there was no mail today. It does seem that I would hear from Samuel King or Brother McAdow. I suppose they have given up hope of being received back into Transylvania Presbytery and have a fear that it is bad for organizing a new Presbytery. The other men are interested, Peggy, but they don't want to take the initiatory step. It means a great deal to dispute the authority of one's Presbytery; and we are surely faced with a still more desperate battle against us when we organize an independent Presbytery. That will stir the fire. It is indeed a grave step, but I have been praying much, Peggy, and I am convinced that it is God's will that a new Presbytery be formed. If it is His will that I take the initiative in this movement, then it must be done. I feel that it should be done soon. I am ready to do His will.

MRS. EWING: Dear husband, I too, have been praying over this matter, and I have deeply felt that it is His will that this be done. God to Samuel King and Mr. McAdow with haste and see if they will not join you, somehow I feel that these two good men will aid you in forming this new Presbytery which is to be founded on a Gospel which offers salvation to all who come to Jesus Christ in believing faith.

EWING: I shall go, my dear. I shall go at once. I shall go to see Mr. King and Ephraim McLean, and, if they will join me, together we will go to see Brother McAdow. Surely our Gospel is founded on Jesus Christ, the One sure Foundation. Surely, it cannot fail. You will be praying, my dear?

MRS. EWING: Yes, Finis, I will be praying. Come, dear, let us have a prayer together before you go.

(They kneel side by side for prayer, and while they kneel a hidden choir sings very softly the first and second stanzas of "How Firm a Foundation." The curtain goes down slowly as the song nears it close.)

Place: The grove in front of the Log House of Samuel McAdow, Dickson County, Tenn.
Time: Late afternoon of February 3, 1810

(As the curtain rises McAdow is seen coming out of the grove near the house with a load of wood in his arms. Ewing, McLean, and King enter, from the other side.)

EWING: Good afternoon, Brother McAdow. How are you today?

McADOW: Well, Brethren, it is rather of a surprise to see you. I am glad indeed that you have come. Brother Ewing, Brother King, Brother McLean.

(As he addresses each one they shake hands, and speak a word of appropriate greeting.)

McADOW: Won't you brethren come in and warm yourselves by the fire?

EWING: I am not cold; this has been a very pleasant day. Brother McAdow, you have probably guessed why we are here; therefore, there is no need for explanation, so we may as well get down to business. After praying over the matter we have finally decided that we must go ahead and organize a new Presbytery. Surely it is a grave step to take, but God has called us to preach the Gospel and we must have an agency through which we may work in His service. I believe that it is God's will that this new Presbytery be organized.

McADOW: Brethren, this is a serious step to be taking. I do realize that Transylvania Presbytery will never take us back, and yet I am unwilling to take such a step until I am perfectly sure that it is God's will.

KING: You are right in wanting to be sure of the wisdom of such a step, and we shall be glad for you to take all the time which will be necessary for you to consider this plan. We will ray that you too may be led as we have been led. For we are assured that God has led us to this decision. I, too, was undecided when Brother Ewing came to me yesterday, but now I am ready to do His will.

McLEAN: Brethren, you are older in the ministry and wiser than I, and I do not feel that I have a right to speak much or to try to say what I would have you do in this case, but I do know one thing–and that is that God has called me, and I feel that I MUST preach the Gospel. I am only praying that God will open a way to me that I may preach the Gospel to all men.

McADOW: Brethren, let us adjourn to the grove for prayer.

(The lights begin to grow dim as the men go off stage into the grove; they grow dimmer until the stage is dark. This will represent the passing of the night. As the men retire into the shadows the hidden choir will sing softly, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," 3 stanzas; then as dawn comes, the choir sings 2 stanzas of "Praise Him, Praise Him." A speaker should explain, while the stage is dark, that McAdow, desiring so earnestly to do God's will, spent the night praying in the grove, according to all historical accounts of the actual events which led up to the scene which follows. The first gleam of dawn's light reveals Ewing, King, and McLean waiting near the door of the house for McAdow. McAdow comes from the grove at left. There is a radiance about his expression now which tells the story of victory, peace, and assurance which has come to his soul after his long vigil in prayer. He greets the men with a simple, solemn grip of the hand, no one speaks–all are radiantly happy.)

McADOW: God has answered the doubtful question, and now I am ready to constitute a new presbytery, and ordain this brother (putting up his hand and pointing to McLean) before we adjourn.*

OTHERS: May Jesus Christ be praised!

(The hidden choir sings last stanza of "Praise Him, Praise Him." It should be sung triumphantly.)

Time: An hour later
Place: A room in the Old Log House

(A clear close calendar on the wall is turned to February 4, 1810)

McADOW: BRETHREN, having drawn up the following record we have taken the final step in constituting a Presbytery. "In Dickson County, Tennessee State, at the Rev. Samuel McAdow's this fourth day of February, 1810: we, Samuel McAdow, Finis Ewing, and Samuel King, regularly ordained ministers of the Presbyterian church, against whom no charges either of immorality or heresy have ever been exhibited before any of the church judicatures, having waited in vain more than four years; in the meantime petitioning the General Assembly for a redress of grievances and a restoration of violated rights, have constituted, and do hereby agree and determine to constitute into a Presbytery, known by the name of Cumberland Presbytery."** Brethren, as temporary moderator, I declare that Cumberland Presbytery has been constituted and is now ready for business.

EWING: Mr. Moderator, I move that Rev. Samuel McAdow be elected moderator of Cumberland Presbytery.

KING: I second the motion.

McADOW: The motion has been made that Rev. Samuel McAdow be elected Moderator of Cumberland Presbytery. Are you ready for the question? (Pause) All in favor of this motion make it known by saying "aye."

(Ewing and King say "Aye.")

Brethren, I consider it a privilege to become the first Moderator of Cumberland Presbytery, and promise that I shall do my best to serve it well. I suppose that the next item of business will be the election of Stated Clerk.

EWING: Mr. Moderator.

McADOW: Brother Ewing.

EWING: Mr. Moderator, I move that in view of the fact that we have only three ordained ministers in this Presbytery that the Moderator be asked to use his power to vote on each of the motions.

KING: I second the motion.

McADOW: All in favor of this motion make it known by saying "aye." The "ayes" are in majority and the motion is carried. The Moderator will vote on all the questions.

EWING: Mr. Moderator, I nominate the Rev. Samuel King for Stated Clerk of Cumberland Presbytery.

McADOW: Brother King has been nominated for Stated Clerk. Are there other nominations? (Pause) If not then we shall take the vote. All in favor of Brother King as Stated Clerk let it be known by saying "aye." The "ayes" are in majority and I declare that Brother King is Stated Clerk of this Presbytery. Brother King, you have already begun to record the proceedings, I believe.

KING: Mr. Moderator, I make a motion that we ordain Mr. Ephriam McLean to the full work of the Gospel ministry at this time.

EWING: I second the motion.

McADOW: All favoring the motion as stated make it known by saying "aye." The "ayes" being in majority we shall now go into the special service. I shall appoint Brother Finis Ewing to take charge of the service.

EWING: Mr. Ephriam McLean, you have been received into this Presbytery as a licentiate. Cumberland Presbytery, being fully satisfied with your qualifications have voted to ordain you to the full work of the Gospel ministry. It will now be necessary to ask you a few questions: 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

McLEAN: I do.

EWING: 2. Do you believe that there are no eternal reprobates, that infants dying in infancy are saved, that Christ died for all men and not for a part only.

McLEAN: I do.

EWING: 3. Do you believe in the government of the Presbyterian Church?

McLEAN: I do.

EWING: 4. Have you been induced by the Holy Spirit, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from the love of God, a desire to do his will, to promote His glory in the Gospel of His Son, and the salvation of your fellowmen?

McLEAN: I have.

EWING: Do you promise to be zealous and faithful, as God may enable you in maintaining the truths of the Gospel, and the purity and peace of the church, whatever present persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account?

McLEAN: I do.

EWING: Do you engage to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, whether personal or relative, private or public; and to endeavor by the grace of God, to adorn the profession of the Gospel ministry in your conversation, and to walk with exemplary piety before the Church and before the world?

McLEAN: I do.

EWING: Brother McLean, kneel here.

(Ewing, King, and McAdow take their places around the kneeling figure of Ephriam McLean, and place their right hands upon his head.)

EWING: Our Father who art in heaven, we thank Thee today for the power of dedicated lives. Today we draw near Thee in the act of ordaining this young brother. Even now, as he kneels before Thee, cleanse him from all sin and give him grace to live near unto Thee. Lay Thy hand upon him, Lord, and make him a mighty power in the world for the spread of Thy kingdom. May he truly be Christlike in character, in deed, and in thought. And may we, who lay on our hands, feel the filling presence of Thy Holy Spirit until our cup runneth over. Today we come not merely ordaining one man to Thy work, but as four men reconsecrating our lives on Thy altar. We give ourselves wholly to Thee, use us as Thou seest fit, and in all that we do let us know Thy will and help us to follow it. Set us each apart for a greater work in Thy service. We pray in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

(The hidden choir sings "Hear Our Prayer, O Lord.")

(Each of them in turn, after they have risen, take McLean by the hand saying:)

"We give you the right hand of fellowship to take part in this ministry with us."

EWING: Brother McLean, this charge I give unto you, that ye hold fast the Gospel of Christ, preaching and teaching all men the blessed words of Salvation. Live before men that men may see your Master mirrored in your life; that you may be as a light in the world leading men in paths of truth and righteousness. Let love be your motive, and the Holy Spirit be your guide. Seek those things which are pure and honest. Love the brotherhood. Be diligent in service. Always be a true servant of Jesus Christ, faithful and loyal in all things. These things remember.

*Exact words spoken by McAdow, according to the "Old Log House" page 57.
**Original words of the declaration of constitution, "Old Log House," page 58.

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