The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-07-11
DR.. rLpMER AND HIS coSaREGArIox.

DR. PLuMER AND MS COSGREGATIoN.
We End the following in the Ptsburg Eeeaiag
Chronicle, of Thursday Juaa i2th:
Our readers are doubtless aware that fer sometime
back an unpleasant difficulty existed in the Central
Presbyterian Church, Ale ghany, arising on. OF an
alleged want Of sympathy on the part Of its pastor
the Kew W m. = Piumer, ID: d., with the Govern
ent in its effort to put down treason and rebellion
The Doctor was requested by some of the members
OIL his congregation 10 pray Tor the success of
armies in the field etc. but he refused, alleging
that the whole question of the war, its causes and
results, was political matter with which the m
is;ers Oh God had nothing to DO, and that lie did not
feel justified iii aliuing 10 the subject at ali in is
petitions. He was further firm in the belief th..
no number of battles or victories conld bring about
al bonorable peace, and he could not consequently
ask tod TO give our arms success unite in thanks
g,viag for the same.
The persistent refusal OF the Doctor to conform
with the wishes of his CATION in 'is respect
led to a meeting oi the members OF the church ut
when the whole subject was discussed at length.
4 series of resolutions We're Introduced deporing
The existence Of the war, and maiDt aiming that il
was the drty OF al good Christians TO sustain and
aid our Government in the pntting down Of rebel
lion, restore the authority and laws of the United
St1tes Government over all territory, and in
securing the proper punishment of traitors and
rebels. 1t was further requested that in leading
the devotons Of the congregation the pastor should
manifest full sympathy with the religious senti-
ments of his congregation, and give them n:teranee
rs he presented their petitions to the Throne Of
Grace A lively discussion followed the intfoduc
ton OF these resolutions, and after debate
they were laid aside and the following substitute
adopted:
l. Ecs0irei That the Word of God and the
Confession OF Faith, good and sufficient rule
of faith. sufficient Tor guidance in the present
difficulties, or any other troubles which may here
after a.i>e.
2. Rasoictd, That there is no cause for distrus.-
ing (aiaurbingO the present pastoral relations oil
this congregation.
The adoption of the substitute led TO the witil-
drawal of the minority from the church, but, tc.
iievng that It's passage had been secured by the eX-
ercise o. the Doctors personal influence aud by
verify Nd humiatiDg appeals for personal sym
pathy, they resolved to bring the matter before
higher tribunal, and, On Tuesday last it came up
before The Allegheny PresbNtery, assembled At Sc
wichley Church. The entire proceedings We're sub
mittea TO the Fresbyery, including the cores pom
deHee between DR.. PiuE.er and the congre CATION,
covering hundred pages Of tooiscap The
letters addressed 10 DR. T. were couehed in the kind
est spirit setting forth causes of dissatisac ton ia
his congregation, arising out of the war in which
we are engaged, aGd the studied absence, al.
legged AS TO any recognition of the existence Of the
war-victory or srccesS anu pleading for mere
pointed and specific prayers Tor our armies, and for
success 10 fheirarms The answers to these letters
Were also elaborateiy friendly Alnost the whole
field of theology was gone over; the Scripture,
Church standards, and other authorities, We're
quoted TO prove that the writer occupied high and
Scriptura ground this question, and that the
whole question of the war was political question,
with which GODS ministers had nothing to do, 81
such. He did not believe that a1y amber of bat
ties and victories could bring about an honorable
peace, and therefore he could not ask God to give
rs victory, Gnte III thanksgiving for ;he same.
The question discussed all day on Tuesday,
and on Wednesday it was again taken up. DE-.
Plurner himself WAS present, and defended his po-
st.ou Ia a powerful address. He was replied TO by
Drs. NcIareD, Dale, and Others of whom
were very severe upon him for his want Of sympa
thy with The Union eaIse. Dr. MciGren, particu.
larry handled him with great severity. lie said
the real sentiments of DR.. Z. were sloss and re-
iuctan1ly developed in the c0rreS SpoDdenos with the
menoriasts He defended the great majority OF
the clergy who do pray for the success OF cur arms
aud dyvelt forcibiy the righteousness of the pre-
sent war He again dwet the subject OF
preaching politics. as that thing is generally
spoken Of among certain class Of politicians with
withe ring sarcasm He said 1t should not take two
minutes for man ~ define his loyalty patriot
ism If he mas arg. After d lengthy discussion the
Presbytefy adopted the following report. DR.. Pin
Iner himself voting IN the Affirmative:
/. Resoiyed, That in the opinion of this Presby
terry 1t is among the most imperative duties of all
good and loyal citizens to defend their country,
even with blood, against is public enemies.
2. ResotceG, That when, III the Providence OF
God, our country is involved in most eaiamitous
and deporable civil war, IL ernineny proper thai
the instructions and suppleations of the sanctuary
shorid, ct proper times, have reference To the
isting state OF things, and that as Christians and
church officers hail with grateful satisfaction
the call Of Government 10 acts of Christian de
voton, such fasting, prayer ami Thanksgiving
| and should yield our cheerful obedience thereto
and this Presbytery, therefore, sees nothing impro
per in the anxiety manifested by these memorial
lists 10 have such direction gwen 10 the ceyOton
of their sanctuary.
| 3. ReSoioed, That while depreeate and disap
prove OF the introduction OF mere party politics il
any shape into the sacred desks we regard the pro
lection and defence CT our Constitution and hber
ties duty of far higher and mere sacred char
acrer than ordinary political questions on which
good citizens may honestly differ III times of peace
l. Res1irsd That a committee be appointed Il
confer with the congregation of the Central Churei
OF Alleghany, for the purpose Of endeavoring to
conce their differences, and to report the result @
this conference to an adjourned meeting OF Presby
terry, to be held the I'd Sunday In july next, a
| 10 O'Clock A. NJ, at Sewiekley.