Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-02
DgIame I.
Drs. Deems and Smith.

The protracted trial of DIR. VIM. a Smith,
in the Virginia Conference of the NJ. E..
Church, on a charge Of immortality, &c, pre-
ferred against him by DR.. Charles F. Deems,
Of the North Carolina Conference, closed on
the 18th ult.
This trial has produced very great interest
and excitement in both States, in and out Of
the church. Tn rendering Of the Ecclesias-
teal verdict, to lie found below, has its adj
vccates and opponents, outside Of the Confer
ence-but as the entire testimony and argu-
ments are TO be published, on both sides, IN
pamphlet form, all who desire to do so, viii
have an opportunity Of acquaintins them
selves on all the points involved in the con-
troyersy, and be able to come to intelligent
conclusions thereon. 1t is not our province
to express an opinion ON the matters at issue,
we feel sure, however, DR.. Deems character
as an able. eloquent debater, has abated
nothing from his already exalted fame and
, farther, that he conducted himselfas a chris
tan gentleman during all the trying scenes
of this extraordinary trial. We have notl.-
ing to say against DR.. Smith, for we know
, nothing,-we bat speak our sentiments of
: DR.. Deems, with whom we have been long
a and intimately acquainted. lie has Doubt
= less erred il soEle particulars. land Who has
not n but we sincerely believe with no de-
i sire to do wrong.
a The following, from the Petersburg Demo-
crat, to which paper we have leen indebted
= fyr a full and faithful account of this exci-
e ting trial, shows the final disposition cf the
e case
In the afternoon at 1 O'Clock, the Confer
n ence, under Bishop Andrew, held a session
y with closed doors. from which Drs. Smith and
n Deems, the members of the North Carolina
at Conference and public were excluded, In or.
IN der to find a verdict OF decision on the trial
whose lengthy evidence and addresses they
had during the last eight or ten days listened
7" to with extreme patience. Bishop Andrew
made a brief and suitable address to tsC
members, telling them they had nothing Il
:, consider relative to any other Conference bu
= their own. A number Of charges had beer
IA brought against Rev. VIM. A. Smith, ID. ID
:" of their body. They had heard the evidenc'
>, and arguments and were now called ON to lie
eide whether he was guilty or not.
They then took up the several specification
aud charges some OF the members on show
ing good cause, were excused from votlns
rnt and after about two hours session, tie
came to an almost unanimous conclusion
err (there was one dissenting vote on one or tw
chargesl that Dr.. DceUls's evidence failed I
de prove lie charges against DIR. Smith, /. e.,
verdict of not l4otoH-wIlich is IN acqu.t;
I'd OF DR.. VIM. a. Smith, from the six seriot
charges brought against him by his accus,
DR.. Deems.
The order Of voting was as follows:
Charge 1st, Resolved, That the specific;
pid tons lie not sustained.-Ayes So, noes |, e
cused 8.
ESQ 2nd, Resolved. That the charge lie not su
tained.-Ayes Sc, noes 0, excused 8.
ave Charge End, Resolved, That so much
the specifications as afirms that DIR. Smit
made an untrue statemen to the Students
lad- r. NJ. College of the facts in the case, be M
shstained.-Ayes 81, noes /, excused 9.
nile End, Resolved, That the charge be not su
tained.-Ayes 81, noes 0, excused &.
pcs Charge ard Resolved, lst. Ehat-Aesp
y fcation be not sustained.-Ayes 81, noes
UNI excused 8.
Resolved End, That the charge be not 81
tained.-Ayes 81, noes 0. excused 8.
t la Charge 4th, Resolved lst., That the sp,
i~fcation be not sustained.-Ayes "a, noes
ands excused s.
Resolved End, That the charge be not 81
tres lalned.-AyeS 81, noes U, excused 8.
Charge 5th, Resolved lst, That the spe
the fcation lie sustained by admission Of the
ience.-Ayes So.
Resolved End, That the charge lie not S
have tained.-Aves &c, nGes >, excused II.
Charge 9th, That so much Of tie specif
fort ton as afirms that DR.. Smith id make
impression that c. f.. Deems was not Il Ii
dure Of veracity. he sustained, On tic admiss
Of tie deience.-Ayes sc.
been Resolved md, hat the charge he not
talned.-Ayes, 76, noes |, excused L..
t en-