Our Authorized Bible Vindicated - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

circulated, it produced a storm of criticism. It
brought forth charges of Romanizing and
Tractarian tendencies. “The address involved the
church irreversibly in the doctrinal agitation which
went on within its pale for a quarter of a
century.”[8]
Some attribute to this address the opening note
of the Mercersburg Movement. Others say it began
with the tract written in the preceding year by Dr.
Nevin, entitled, “The Anxious Bench.” This tract
was a terrific denunciation of the system of
revivals held in the evangelical churches and
pointed out the Sacramental System as a refuge
from fanaticism.
Nevertheless the inaugural address of Dr.
Schaff resulted in his being tried for heresy. He
was formally acquitted; so he and Dr. Nevin went
back to the Theological Seminary to vindicate
themselves and promote their views among the
rising generation.
Dr. Berg, pastor of the First German Reformed
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