Gilbert Tennent | A rare Presbyterian tract relating to the Old Side–New Side controversy, printed by Franklin

Gilbert Tennent

Remarks upon a Protestation presented to the Synod of Philadelphia, June 1. 1741. [With:] The Apology of the Presbytery of New-Brunswick. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Benj. Franklin, 1741

2 parts in 1 volume, as issued, 8vo (165 x 100 mm). Additional title-page for Apology, with continuous pagination, type ornaments in text, early ownership signatures; light toning, a few spots and stains, a soft vertical crease throughout the textblock, more pronounced in the first two gatherings. Contemporary paper wrappers; rubbed and stained, a small loss at the tail of the spine and a chip at the edge of the rear wrapper, the front pastedown cracking along the gutter. Half brown morocco folding-case.

First edition of a rare volume by the Reverend Gilbert Tennent, comprising two tracts relating to the Old Side–New Side controversy, the first serious schism in the American Presbyterian Church.

Along with George Whitefield and his father William, Gilbert Tennent was one of the major figures in the First Great Awakening. He denounced the conservatism and formalism of Old Side Presbyterians, and had a blatant disregard for church discipline. He would often criticize another minister's piety, or would travel to areas under other preachers' jurisdictions and deliver fiery sermons to their congregations. In 1738, a group of reformed New Side Presbyterians, led by Tennent, split from the Presbytery of Philadelphia and formed the Presbytery of New Brunswick. On 1 June 1741, the Synod of Philadelphia voted to expel the New Brunswick congregation. This short tract was written in response to that ejection. Tennent writes in his preface:

"I can sincerely declare, that it was with a View to promote Peace and Union, that I went to the last Synod; and I know that others of my Brethren, who are now rejected, were of the same Disposition.

"BUT Affairs being brought to a sudden Crisis, a melancholy Necessity urges our just Vindication.

"ALL that I desire of the Reader, is an impartial Consideration of what is proposed in the following sheets. …"

After becoming the founding pastor of Philadelphia's Second Presbyterian Church in 1743, Tennent rejoined the Synod of Philadelphia, adopted less controversial behavior, and worked towards a reconciliation between the Old and New factions in his church.

Tennent accompanied Reverend Whitefield on his 1740 preaching tour of New England. Miller explains that "a goodly portion of this edition was sent to New England," likely because he had an established audience there.

A second printing of the book is noted by Hildeburn, though not located by either him or Miller. In 1742, "some members of the Synod," probably John Thomson, Thomas Evans, and Francis Alison, printed a rebuttal to Tennent's tract titled An Examination and refutation of Mr. Gilbert Tennent's Remarks …, which was also printed and sold by Benjamin Franklin.

Exceedingly rare—the last copy to appear at auction was in 1904 at Anderson Galleries according to Rare Book Hub, and ESTC locates copies in only ten institutions, all on the East Coast.

For another work by Tennent, see lot 47.

REFERENCES

Miller 263; ESTC W21797; Sabin 94700; Linde Lunney, "Tennent, Gilbert," in Dictionary of Irish Biography (https://www.dib.ie/biography/tennent-gilbert-a8501)

PROVENANCE

Charles Pierce (signatures on both titles) — Sarah Pierce (four ownership signatures, two on front pastedown dated 1764 and 1772, and two on the rear pastedown dated 1774) — Benjamin Blood (signature on front pastedown, dated 1813)