No Small Jewel: A History Of the Synod Of Southwestern Ontario
By John S. Moir, Geoffrey D. Johnston, and Joseph C. McLelland
Resist the temptation to dismiss this book as nothing more than a parochial history of Presbyterianism in southwestern Ontario. Since the old Synod of Hamilton-London has long been one of the strongest in The Presbyterian Church in Canada, its history involves an examination of Canadian Presbyterianism on the wider scene.
The authors carefully describe the difficult struggle to establish a Presbyterian witness in British North America following the American Revolution. They highlight the evangelical revival, which changed the outlook within the Church of Scotland, brought the Glasgow Colonial Society into existence and provided spiritual assistance to many settlers who migrated to British North America in the 18th century. Moreover they portray the strange combination of unity and diversity that characterized Canadian Presbyterianism before and after the great union of 1875. There has frequently been vigorous theological debate among Presbyterians.
However, had it not been for the numerical, financial and theological strength of southwestern Ontario, the history of the continuing Presbyterian Church in Canada would probably have been significantly different from what it turned out to be. The percentage of people who remained with the denomination in southwestern Ontario following 1925 was well above the national average. By the time the dust had settled in 1928, membership in the area stood at 63 per cent of what it had been in 1924.
The theological direction of the church was also strongly influenced by the area. Walter Bryden, born on a farm near Galt, came to Knox College in 1927 and inspired a significant number of students until his death in 1952. Although Bryden came to terms with critical Biblical scholarship, he is remembered as one who “stood in the evangelical tradition.” He and many of the ministers from southwestern Ontario were also at the forefront of the debate which led to a major challenge of the Westminster Confession of Faith's stand on the relationship of church and state. In the light of Hitler's rule in Nazi Germany, should the church ever offer unconditional support to any state or culture?
The latter part of the book, including the probing epilogue by Joseph C. McLelland, comes to terms with the numerical decline of the denomination in recent years and the reduction of its cultural influence. To quote McLelland, “If it sounds trite to say that Christianity is at a crossroads in this age of pluralism, secularism and social licentiousness, it remains true that we need to study our past for its valid truths and its perennial wisdom. We need to take stock of our assets — our profound theology, our missionary spirit, our commitment to doing things decently and in order.”
The editor candidly admits that the whole story has not been told in this book. Hopefully it will stimulate further research and writing, including histories of other synods. Yet No Small Jewel is no small contribution to a worthy project. In the providence of God it may do more than recount accomplishments of the past; it may stimulate a vigorous future.
