Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-22

anu III Ill plIhiilb's ANA t'hhF 'h'h ~
the great cement OF social lie and happiness. it
may readily lie imagined that | most reluctant!
feel forced to notice II printed and published paper.
detailing. ia part. certain proceedings Of the pre-
,ent Vrstry of -. Paul's Church. Alexandria,
Aud while liz details. 81 far as il goes. are correct.
il forcihlv reminds me of the witness. VIII" states
the truth, but not the rhoic trnfb. | will eudeaSur
to 10 - with all convenient brevitv. disc!aiming.
in the most earnest and truthful manner. every
unkind feeling towards oil p'r-"ns IN any way con-
nccted with The subject.
Four different times did I attend the Vcstrv, in
obedience Ia the call of the Wardens. while at the
same time | was 80 feeble that II was with great
difficulty that | could stand ON my feet sufficiently
long to- express my views and opinions upon the
different subjects discussed: and in all of which |
was entirely calm. and pcr.onnhy Kind and %r'sp:ct-
i'll 10 those different with me in opinion.
objected To the call on the Rev. -, of Ger
mantown. If that If his place Of rcsidcuce-l
thought il was BALTIMORE At that time. for reasons
which | then stated. and, particularly, until sitter
a new Ne-try should be clectcd-not being wiling
To assume upon myself, Ms one OF treirs. the great
responsibility of selecting a Rector with whom |
had no manner ~ acquaintance; Ignorant OF his
talents. learning, or qualifications az II practical
Minister of the Gospel; but greatly preferring that
a new Vcstry might make the choice Of a success
sor to our late beloved Rector. ] then thought the
request most entirely reasonable, and still think
so, and here re-aHirm all | then said and did upon
the subject. made no remark concerning any
Divine living. either North or South; but we were
ia the minority. and had To submit, although we
then believed, and still Hrmiy bsiisrr, that truth
and reason we're with uS. | had, and still have,
and the same read 10 the Vestry. the names Of
fJiv highly respectable and influential members of
the Congregation. requesting that ~" "cti"" "iyht
b, had upon me sUbjcct until nJt"r n n'r 'he"'io" Of
~T.stymen, which takes place on next Monday, the
2jth inst. and not on the frs. Monday in April. as
| at first supposed. This was utterly disregarded.
The call wa. made. but its nature or character were
never shown W.. At this time. a paper was exhit.
tied by one Of the members present, containing,
think, Gjtetn names, (tro of whom, | am told, sign
ed il under "A mis-conccptiOn OF its real obJect,)
requesting the Eestry to cal n Rector. We. the
minority, considered it our duty to obey the m'H
and Tishe. of the majority Of the Psc- hotter and
Contributor. of the Church, as We, on the other
hand, patiently ubmitted TO the wiN and rishes of
n majority of tho Vestry. / wrote the letter which
has produced very free and uukind remarks, | am
told, and it then, and no,c. and erer riH. have my
entire appreciation. II was written openly. IN Gun
liyht, and not in secret. and sent North by the
public mail and, were il necessary. | would not
hesitate t. repeat the act. IL - very evident 10
the most superficial mind and grammatical con-
struction of language, that the principal purpose
and object OF the printed papers IN question, are
intended 10 excite in the minds Of the Congrega-
ton Of 81. Paul's Church. Il prejudice against an
other and myself, but more especially against me.
Ever strong, I hope. in honesty firm of purpose.
with singleneSs Of heart, and the prosperity of the
Church, upon the present occasion, alone in view,
no unholy passions dwell in my bosom in this case.
On the contrary. ii is tranquil, patient, and abid-
ing in the uprightncss OF my motives and actions.
| hope to De excused for the egotism which, from
the force Of circumstances. | cannot avoid.
Allow me, further. to say, | had no secret or
sinister objects II subscrve TO selfish purposes 10
answer no particular Rector In view nut, at all
times, pr..rrring cur late Pastor Ia all others-out
At the same time denying, as | here DO, ever hav-
ing 90 expressed myself {" any one whatever. Mr..
Hooff has been a member of the Nesfry OF -.
Paul's Church about ~ years, and | have been
about 30, and this is the first time during all that
r,me, that perfect harmony has not prevailed
Nav God calm these iithe momsntdry e~Tcirements!
their tendency is eyil-their effects highly de-
-~ogatory to Holy Religion.
If, as We are told, the ways Of Religion are ways
Of pleasantncss and peace, why not pursue them!
And at the time the paper in question was read in
the ye.try, respectfully insisted upon its Ho"-in-
Production into 81. PuuGs L""yr,g"t'o", 'e"t AZ m'ght
operai. az a hrund im III. banning.
In vain did invoke charity TO forbid ito bear
and 10 fnrhcaT--tu seek peacc--tVe schew the bless
ed fruits OF peace and charity from Perishing IN
the storms OF mere personal controversy cited
the else OF Paul and Barnabas-Grging cautoh
and mutual fOrbearance towards each other AMI
that unsninity If feeling was the essence OF amIty.
But il a'ailed not, tor a much ~ We were uh'ef
the control OF the majority.
MIR. H"ott resigned a. one ot me t-stfy Al 'he
last meeting Of the Vrstry, but before il ADJOURNED.
| forget to do so, End The secretary Thought that
he could not receive 1t thereafter.
Subjoin"d Is II copy "i oar letter To Inc Rev.
-. 1t is n true copy OF the original WIN me
suppression OF ms name. Let II speak ior i's'''
The Congregation I'll 1T. Pahl Chafrh nave ever
been signhlly blessed with nhlr' talented, ana e.o-
Iuent freaeherS-tor illustration Ut winner ar
Jackson. ana ih:t. ihonsh not 'eh''' our lh!e Nee
ior-r"nSeHuently 10 nira'r AMI sr"'i! 'he ON,
ln,rn;ny. apd full of Gouly love. charity. snd
kindness ,uwar,l, All who ,hal! hc under his puru-
,cb;,I ,L,r.a
U.r. ~foIIows, cory of our letter. so much COM
rI,;r.J If
mr. -, ". hay. no, IN. rleosrr. Of yonr
,.r.nnni .cn,.in,arc. Ian, hon. vou will excuse
RI. freedom Of thi, brief communication. We have
I'm, inst learned thar , norton of the Vestrv Of
:, PAM. Church of this clty. 10 witt on; of ~,
have invited you te take charge Of the Church. ~
lis Rector, To supply the place made vacant by the
resignation Of the Rev. j. l. Johnston. ""w're
not present when you were called. hut AT a meet
ing prior thereto. in point of time. when present,