, 1866-11-19

owedf efgal again in 1ss Is own detn:c and ss2 xes
he had concluded the Prcsbytery, with
closed doors, proceeded to deliberate and
calm, solemn dcliberation. Each specifca.
tson under each charge was esIarately
considered tho testimony on either side
carefully weighed. and the vote taken. The
atcused was found guilty Of everything
charged In the libel. The vote on many Of
the specifications WIS almost unanimous.
On some the minds Of some Of the members
Was not clear, and the vote was not so unau'
imous.
Whtn the Court had made It's decision, the
accused wac brought in, the decision an
nouuced to him aud the Eeyerc sentence
passed uI.on him BY the proper officer Of the
Court. The sentence was ~ 1hflnite s1ispen.
sion from the ministerial Office and like SUE
pension from the sealing ordinances Of the
journal yesterday morning which should be
corrected. 1t was stntcd that vixen the sem
tenct was pronounced the accused faintcd
nxuy. This, VIC hare been Informed, vas
not the case. Al might BE- expected, Or:
P1esttey manifested very great feeling, and
could bear. but he received his sentence with
calm submission, aud took the opportunity
to thank his brethren for the kind courteous,
Christian spirit iu which they had conduct.
Cd his triai. 1t wus R solemn and i'm
pressire occasion; sad and heaH+rend. nd,
before sentence was pronounced the Assem-
bly, engaged In prayer; strong men were
bowed down with grief; they felt their sol
elnn responsibilities they would not shrink
from duty; they must DO ffEhleou-ly and
yet they could not. and would not II they
There were no eyes dry-great tears tEicGlcd
down the checks Of aged tnthers all bowed
in grief before Jehoyah's Throne.
We have enlcayorcd to give our readers
plain and correct account Of this unhappy
affair. We hare no comments to offer upon
tic decision that has been given. We
| suppose that Christian men, unbiased
by prejudice, nntlanntcd by fear, have rcn-
dcred q verdict In accordance with the tcstt'
mony. We feel it q duty, however, to cor
rect Il false impression that has been made
upon the public mind. 1t is supposed By
many, Ind has cven been asserted iu publie
| print that Dr. Presiley las been charged aud
inund guilty of adultery. Such Is not the
| casc. No such Charge appeared In the libel
| lie was simply charged with un3eco.line
correspondence and undue intimacy With
other females. Anything more is inf-r2ptlal
| Ne do not desire 10 1n0ralEze at length, but
there is one punt to which we feel re shoult
make brief reference in conclusion. Nhc1
such a sad case as this occurs, and when tht
offender is a Christian minister, the dtsposi
| ton is to heap rcproach and opprobFiutr
upon the Church, and perhaps q ratticnla
repToach upon the particular denomfnatio,
with which the offending mInl>tcE may b
connected. We do not pretend to be abl'
to control public opinion and close th
mouths Of all who may be ready go +
speak, but ne would call attention to th
flct that the Church has been first +
investigate, and. when guilt is proved t.
condemn. The church has shown no dlspo
sition to cover up or conceal. It has CON
ont nobly, and done Justly and boldly, an
fratlcss1y ytndicated It's love Of purity an
truth. 4 church that does not hesitate t
| "trip Of his official robes one Of her mos
able and prominent members, when the
have decided upon his guilt; that doe
| not hesitate to wound herself sore1y that sh
| may vindfcntc tic causc Of righteousness an
truth, such a church certainly deserves til
respect and confidence Of all nirn.