The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-09-04

-MONDAY.-EarIy IN the session OF LnlS
Judicatory, of the C. p. Church, a memo
rial was received from the Newburgh Con-
gregation, expressing strong dissatisfac-
ton with the deliverance of the last Gen.
eral Assembly. On this memorial, the
Presbytery, after long discussion, adopt
ed the following action, two members re-
cording their votes in the negative, and
three members being excused from voting,
when the 4yeas and nays" were called:
WHEREAS, the late Assembly of our
Church put forth deliveraEce so ambigu-
Gus, that 1t is claimed by unrepentant
rebels, and those who sympathize with
them, as q repeal of the deliveranceS OF
past Assemblies, which had clearly set
forth the duty of loyalty to the General
Government, and the sin of rebellion;
therefore,
/. Resolued, That, while we are Cumber-
land PreSbyterians, we deeply deplore the
doubtful, and, as we belive, diShonorable
position our Church is made to occupy, Dy
this late action of her highest Judtcature
2. RESOLVED, That, while we regret the oc-
caSion and necessity of further agitation at
this time, we think It is the duty OF those
who are concerned for the purity and per-
manent peace of the Church, to take coun-
sci together in regard to this grave and i'm
portant matter, and in the fear of God to
determine, what steps should be taken TO
remove the reproachful stain from our
Church, and save the loyal congregations
from disintegration.
g. Resolved That we plant ourselves firm
ly upon the DELIVERANCES OF % ana 90,
which are unrepealed, and which we In
tend to maintain In all their legitimate
meaning and consequences.
A. RESOLVED, That 1t Is our solemn convic-
ton, that we cannot expect The Lord to
bless and prosper us, as Chisttan Denomi-
nation, until our Church Is rid OF the un-
hallowed influence which the presence and
action Of unrepentent rebels Is now exert
ing.
S. Resolved, Further, That we do hereby
memorable and pray the Indiana Synod
to take action on this subject.
The following papers show some of the
reasons for the vote given for and against
this action of the Presbytery:
REASONS OF THE MAJORITY.
We, who voted in favor of the action Of
the Presbytery upon IT, g memorial from the
Newburgh Congregation, would respect
fully give few of the many reasons for
our vote.
l. The New Testament clearly sets forth
the duty of loyalty to the rightful au-
thority of civil government, and the
sin of rebellion, and Christ has de-
clared we are both to 4" do and teach these
commandments" and that the Church is
not to hide her light under bushel; but
the General Assembly has adopted a per-
fectly Delphic utterance in regard to these
great principles: hence, it is absolutely
necessary for the Presbyteries and Synods
to speak out, lest the most precious princi-
pies, which lie at the foundation of all
civil government-principle set forth in
the New Testament-be set at naught and
disregarded. Hence, we vote for this ac-
ton. = AaA tts341J GAS l-'-i.--
Q. We vote afirmatively, because we
wish thus solemnly to protest before the
world, and before high heaven, against the
shame and i.grace which the ambiguous
Deliverance of the late Assembly has
brought upon our Church, and against the
effort which is now made to place US in full
ecclesiastical fellowship with unrepentant
rebels and traitors, who for years aided in
the persistent effort to overthrow the Gov
eminent of these United States, and who
glory in what they thus attempted.
8. We vote for this action in the hope
that it will assist in ultimately freeing us
from rebel control in our denomination,
and in saving the loyal churches from dis
migration. skH @EeA8xB
A. In any event, or whatever may be the
result, we feel that it is the course of safety
to confer with our brethren of the Indiana
Synod in regard to these momentous ques-
tions, and with their advice and assistance
adopt such measures as wisdom and the
interests of truth and righteousness may
require.
Azel Freeman, 7. S. Mcclure,
A. NJ. Bryant, James Glezen,
Carl Moore, Thomas Walker,
j. E. Bates, H. H. Mcclure,
]. L. Crawford, Thomas Adams,
A. NJ. Phelps, s. G. Barrett.
5s REASONS OF REV. j. G. WHITE.
The undersigned in recording his name
against the report of the Special Commit
tee on the Memorial from the Newburgh
Congregation, would assign the following
among numerous other reasons for so do
ing: se.,.,sss
The General Assembly of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church has in five con-
secutive sessions, after patient and prayer
full elaboration, given utterance to its
views on the condition and obligations of
the Church, and its relations to the State,
which deliverances, although they are not
by fair construction organic laws, are
nevertheless expressions of the VietUs of
the Assembly, which are entitled to the
respect of the Churches; and that the
further agitation Of the subject at present
is not necessary; that it gives no assurance
of good, and may result in imparable evil.
I, therefore, vote NO. JIG. WHITE.
REASONS OF REV. ]. EEELY.
J. Nicely votes in the negative on adop-
ton of the report of the Committee to
whom was referred the Memorial of the
Session of Newburgh Congregation, believ-
ing that the agitation of the subjects that
are referred to in said memorial, in our
Church judicatories, is detrimental to the
interest of vital piety and consequently of
the general prosperity of the Church of
Jesus Christ. And believing, also, that
such agitation will result in the severence
of the Church, not only geographically,
but in our own presbytery and throughout
the North. This result should be guarded
against, and deprecated by every real
friend of the Church of Jesus Christ; also
that the severance of the Church geograph-
ically Is sundering the strongest liga-