The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-06-27

Ii at Luray, while Gen. Fremont has fallen
back to Mount jackson
Allegheny Central Presbyterian Church.
Our readers are doubtless aware that for some
time back an unpleasant difficulty has existed IN
the Central Presbyterian Church, Allegheny,
arising out of an alleged want of sympathy on
the part of its pastor, the Rev. DIR. Plumer,
with the Government in its efforts to put down
treason and rebellion. The Doctor was requcs-
ted by some of the members of his congregation
to pray for the success Of armies in the field
&c, but he refused, alleging that the whole qucs-
ton of the war, its.causes and results, was a
political matter with which the ministers of God
had nothing to do, and that he did not feel JUS
titled in aludng to the subject at all in his pc
titions. He was further firm in the belief that
no number of battles or victories could bring a.
bout an honorable peace, and he could not con-
sequently, ask God to give our arms success or
unite in thanksgiving for the same.
The persistent refusal of the Doctor to conform
with the wishes of his congregation in this res
pect, led to meeting of the members of the
church, at which the whole subject was discus
sed at length. A series of resolutions were in
troduced deploring the existence Of the war, and
maintaining that it was the duty of all good
christians to sustain and aid our government in
the putting down Of rebellion, restore the au-
thority and laws of the United States govern
ment over all our territory, and in securing the
proper punishment Of traitors and rebels. 1t
was further requested that in leading the devo-
tions Of the congregation, the pastor should
manifest full sympathy with the religious senti-
ments of his congregation, and give them utter
ance as ne presented their petitions to the throne
of Grace. A lively discussion followed the in
PRODUCTION Of these resolutions, and after warm
debate they We're laid aside, and the following
'substitute' adopted:
l. ResoLred, That the word of God, and the
Confession Of Faith, are good and sufficient
rule Of faith, sufficient for our guidance in the
present difficulties, or any other troubles which
may hereafter arise
2. Peso,red, That there is no cause for dis
turbing the present pastoral relations of this
congregation.
The adoption of the substitute led to the
withdrawal of the minority iyom the Church,
but, believing that its passage had been secured
by the exercise Of the Doctors personal inhu-
encc, and by unworthy and humillating appeals
for personal sympathy, they resolved to bring
the matter before higher tribunal, and, on
Tuesday last, it came up before the Allegheny
Presbytery, assembled at Scwickly Church.
The entire proceedings were submitted to the
Presbytery, including the correspondence be-
tween Dr. Plumer and the congregation, COW
ering over one hundred pages of foolscap. The
letters addressed to DIR. Z. were couched in the
kindest spirit, setting forth causes for dssatis-
h. III V0''t es'''iV", iisiIl Of trle
war IN which we are now engaged and the
studied absence, alleged, as to any recognition
OF the existence Of war-victory or success;
and pleading for more pointed and specific pray
ers tor our armies and for success to their arms
The answers to the letters were also elaborate
ly friendly. Almost the entire field of theolo-
gy was gone over; the scripture, church STAN
dards and other authorities, were quoted to
Prove that the writer occupied high and scrip
tural ground on this question, and that the
whole question of the war was political uues-
ton, with which Gods ministers had nothing
to do, rs such He did not believe that any
number of battles and victories could bring a.
bout an honorable peace, and therefore he could
not ask God to give us a victory OF unite in
for the same.
The question was discussed all day on Tues
day, and on Wednesday it was again up. DR..
Plumer himself was present and defended his
position in powerful address He was replied |
to by Drs. MLaren, Dale and others, some of
whom were very severe upon him for his want
of sympathy with the Union cause Doctor
M'Laren, particularly, handled him with great
severity. He said the real sentiments of DR.. 2. |
were slowly and reluctantly developed in the
with the memorialists. He dc.
Tended the great majority of the clergy who do
pray for the success Of our arms and dwelt for
'ibly upon the Righteousness of the present war.
lie again dwelt on the subject of "preaching
politics" as that thing is generally spoken of,
among certain class Of politicians with sea-
hing sarcasm He said it should not take two
minutes for q man to define his loyalty or patri-
'tism-if he has any. After lengthy discus
ion Presbytery adopted the following report.
Dr. Piumer himself voting in the afflrma-
i've:
/. ReSolesd, That the in opinion of this Pres-
'ytery, it is among the most imperative duties of
I'll good and loyal citizens to defend their coun-
ry, even with blood, against it's public ene-
MES.
2. ReSot,ed, That when in the providence of
fod our country is involved in q most calami
ous and deplorable civil war, it fs emnently
roper that the instructions and supphcations Of.
he sanctuary should, at proper times have re-
erence to the existing state of things, and that
IS Christians and church officers, we should hail
Yith grateful satisfaction the call Of our Gov
rnment to acts of Christian devotion, such as
asting prayer and Thanksgiving, and should
ieid our cheerful obedience thereto; and Pres
ytery, therefore, see nothing improper in the an.
,iety manifested by these memorialsits to have
uch direction given to the devotions of their
anctuary.
B. ReSol'ed, That while we dcprecate and
Il a