The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-11-14
From the Fayetteville Observer.

:
the result Of that prosecution, as referred
by the Presbytery to the Synod for abjudi,
cation. You are, therefore, respectfully
requested to transcrbc from the Telegraph
and Waterman the following
STATEMENT.
The SYNOD of North Carolina met al
| Lincolnton, In the western part of the state,
October 9th. Soon after the Synod was
opened, Committee of Bills and Over
lures was appointed, into whose hands the
Documents presented by the Presbytery
were placed. That Committee made their
report the next morning, that the business
should be taken up and adjudlcated. A
subsequent committee reported a plan OF
procedure, and the Synod was organized
as court for the trial on the 10th, The
trial being concluded, on the evening of
the llth, a Committee of four was appoint
ed TO draft and report resolutions express
sive of the views Of the Synod in the case.
The following IS copy Of those resolu.
tons -
l. Resolrcd, That the charge instituted by the
Prcsbytery Of Fayetteville against the Rev. Sim
con Cotton, and referred by that Presbytery TO
Synod for further trial and final adjudication, DO,
and the same is hereby sustained.
2. ReSOlued, That whilst Synod feel constrain-
ed by the evidence in the case to pass this judy
ment they are inclined to exercise toward the &c.
cusod, all the forbearancc and lcnity, which a
firm adherence to truth and righteousness will
permit.
. =. Al. Al.
nod, the good standing of Rev Simeon Cotton,
as a minister Of the Gospel, can only be restored
by his public and full confession of guilt, in pub
lshing the offensive pamphlet On which he was
arrligHed; his qantence fer the misreprosenta.
tons therein, and his explicit promise to abstain
IN future from the propagation of all sentiments
so repugnant TO the good character OF his bre-
thren, the peace Of the Church, and the honour
OF Religion.
d. ResolUed, That if the Rev Simeon Cotton
will, in the presence of this Synod, comply with
these acquisitions, he be frankly forgiven, and his
standing be declared regular as a minister of the
gospel
5. Resolred, That if the Rev, Simeon Cotton
refuse TO submit to the foregoing requirements,
the Synod direct the Presbytery of Fayetteville
TO suspend HIM from the functions of the Minis
try, until lie give satisfactory evidence of repen-
lance"
These resolutions, thus reported by the
Committee, were adopted without opposi-
ton by the Synod, at late hour on the
evening of the llth. An appeal was i'm
medlately entered by the defendant, to the
General Assembly 10 sit III Philadelphia
next May. A question now arose whether
the appeal should prevent the Prcsbytery
from executing that part of the sentence
contained in the last resolution. This
question was decided by bare majority
in favor Of tho appeal, and accordingly,
that the Presbytery could not suspend the
defendant.
Matters remained in this safe ill the
next morning, when several gentlemen IN
terested themselves to have the business
closed without further trial. A paper was
drawn up by some individual to meet the
Sd resolution, and proposed to the defend
ant for appreciation, That, he declined to
accept, but as there seemed to be a desire
to bring the business to close, he consent
ed to draw up such writing as he would
be willing to offer. The following is the
paper, which was prepared, presented and
accepted.
TO the Synod Of North Carolina.
Mn. MopERAToR AND GENTLEMEN: Having
your leave of ABSENCE it was my purpose TO have
returned homeward this morning, Consdera.
tons, however, which need not name, have in.
duced me to appear before your body and tender
you this communication.
In the trial which you have Just issued against
me, 1t is due to the cause Of truth that publicly
state my entire appreciation of the conduct of the
Synod as a body, in the manner of conducting
the trial. And | cannot but speak with the
highest appreciation of the kind spirit manifested
by many individuals, while they differ from me
in matters of opinion. To others, who seem to
me 10 have spoken with different spirit, ten.
der the hand of forgiveness,
To the Synod, in relation to the publication,
which forms the subject of complaint, say, that
when | wrote it. did so under the full convic.
ton that was doing my duty. 1t was written
without the least intention of wounding the feel
ings of my brethren, of doing harm to the cause
of Religion, or to the interests of the Church. II
was far from my intention to misrepresent the
actions or doings of any Of my brethren; to inn
pugn the integrity of their character, or question
the purity of their motives In matters of fact
] stated what | supposed was true; and in mat
tiers of opinion, | stated what supposed was
correct. Since the Synod have viewed the whole
matter in a different light, do now, in this pub
lie manner, and before and to this body, frankly
and cheerfully say that wherever have misjudg-
ed in any manner, and either through warmth of
feeling, or misconcepton Of facts, or error III
Judgment, have published any mis-statement, or
improperly arragned the motives conduct, or do
ings Of any person. party, or body, in relation to
whom have written, do sincerely and cordial
ly ask their forgiveness, and assure them and this
body, that in all my future intercourse with my
brethren as 4 member of the Presbyterian Church,
/ will endeavor to demean myself soberly, orderly,
and quietly, as becomes a Christian And while
l reserve to myself the right of private opinion,
and of expressing that opinion, do promise that
it shall be done in such manner as COMFORTS
with the spirit of the Gospel
SIMEON COTTON.
This paper after some discussion, was ac-
cepted as satisfactory, and as meeting the
views of the Synod expressed in their reso-
lutions. A few dissented. One or two
contended that there was no acknowledge
ment of guilt and therefore not sufficient,
and on the final vote, few gave their neg.
alive, while a few others did not vote on