The story of Presbyterianism begins, in general, with the story of Protestantism. Not many years after Luther's action in Wittenburg began a spiritual reformation, two men - Calvin and Knox- shared in the new form of Protestantism which was to come under the name of Presbyterianism. Largely by way of Scotland and England this denomination of Christianity moved into America early in the 17th century. When the United States government was formed officially in 1789, one man, John Witherspoon, was highly instrumental in the form adopted.