The struggle between old guard and new guard is nothing new. The old guard wants to preserve the past and maintain the status quo, while the new guard seeks alternative ways to usher in the future. Presbyterians in the early nineteenth century were locked in a colossal tug-of-war between old and new guard. The old guard, calling themselves Old School Presbyterians, held to a strict interpretation of Westminster Confession of Faith from the early 1600’s. A younger generation of Presbyterians, labeled the New School, supported innovative revival strategies of evangelists like Charles Finney to promote the gospel on the American frontier. Old School Presbyterians accused Finney of trying to manipulate people into decisions for Christ instead of waiting on the Holy Spirit to do its genuine work.
Albert Barnes (1790-1870) was a young, earnest minister caught in the crossfire. He was put forward as the new pastoral candidate for First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia in 1835. The Old School Calvinists took issue with his commentary on Romans and the mere suggestion that people could exercise their wills in accepting or denying Christ. They accused him of doctrinal heresy and brought him to trial in Philadelphia Presbytery. His trial dragged on for four days.
Albert’s demeanor during the investigation was exemplary. This was a man who wouldn’t fish with a hook because he considered it a form of deception and a violation of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 17.27. Ultimately, he was acquitted yet some detractors were unsatisfied and brought a second unsuccessful heresy charge a year later.
What did Barnes do to occupy his time during his trials? He composed A Manual on Prayer on every conceivable topic from accountability to zeal. Given his heresy trial, his prayer offered here is most exceptional: