The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-11
from the Hendersonville Pioneer !

Mr., EDITOR 1t will be recoIlected by
Yourself and numerous readers, the suspen-
sion from the functions of the gospel minis
try, pronounced against me by the disloyal
rebel Presbyterv of Concord, so-called, at
its spring sessions in 1866, in consequence of
nv writing the following letter to Rev. j.
RUMBLE. the stated Clerk of Presbytery-
Here is the offending document:
HENDERSON Co., N. c., April 4, 1866.
REV. j. RUMPLE Dear Brother This
is to inform you that disclaim the authori-
ty and jurisdiction of Concord Presbytery in
its present ecclesiastical relations.
1st Because 1 think the Presbytery has
been guilty of great and pnwarranted
schism in the church, which " Is The body OF
Christ"
I'd. Because, when I was ordained to the
work of the holy ministry, solemnly vowed
to God to study the peace, purity and pros
perity of the church, neither of which, In
my opinion, can be promoted by the present
position of the Presbytery.
Sd. am not, and never have been a rebel.
1 understand this decision to be rebel meas
ure, sustained and driven through the church
by rebels, and none OF thers-n not, am simp
ly mistaken. | cannot cooperate with you.
l prefer the church as organized by our
fathers. Your views are not my views your
policy is not my policy; we are not agreed
we had better separate
With these views bid you, and through
you the Preshytery, adieu.
Respectfully,
JOHN G. CARSON.
The above letter vas referred to commit
tee composed of the following persons ::
Rev. j. L. Kirkpatrick, D. D., A. W. Miller,
G. D. Parks, B. L. Beall, r. z. Johnson, S.
C. Miller, D. D. with Ruling Elders W. S.
Harris, R. j. Mcdowell and W. F. Cowan.
This Committee brought in a report, declar
ing the above letter offensive and disrespect-
flI, and in violation of my ordination vows,
and contrary to the constitution of the
church and, that be forthwith suspended
from the functions of the ministry, and cited
to answer to the above charges at the next
regular sessions Of Presbytery.
The reader will bear in mind the fact,
that the old school Presbyterian Church has
been rent asunder by the rebels of the South,
who have organized themselves into sepa-
rate and distinct Church; by which act they
have been guilty of the sin of schism, and
have disclaimed the authority and jurisdic-
ton of the good old mother Church, to
which We all recently belonged. My CRIME
consists in the fact that disclaimed the au-
thority and jurisdiction of Concord Presby-
tery so-called, after it had been guilty of
this schismatical act and declared my ad
herence to the old Church, the Church of
our fathers. / appeal to candid and I'M
partial public, had l not that right For
the exercise of that right was, in the most
summary and indecent manner, without no
tice trial or any chance of defence, suspen-
ded from the functions of the ministry; and
recently, latter notice. deposed from the sa-
cred office. Mr.. Editor, if they choose to
leave the church, had 1 not the right to re-
main? Most unquestiOnably / had. They
have assumed to dictate and act for me, and
lniilct the seyerest censures of the CHURCH,
because l refuse to tamely submit to their
usurped and unrighteous authority. They
seem to be very Jealous for the constitution
OF the church and ordination VOWS. Let US
sec how they have kept both. Book of Dis
clplne, Chap. 5, Sec. s, reads as follows:
When complaint is laid before the Presby-
terry, 1t must be reduced to writing and !
nothing further is to be done at the first |
meeting (unless by consent of parties) than
giving the minister full copy of the charges, |
with the names of the witnesses annexed;
ana citing all parties and their witnesses to |
appear and be heard at the next meeting"
marx the language of the discipline as quo
f,u.i. eu ABOVE. When complaint, &c, nothing
1uftaer i Is to be done at the first meeting, un-
TSe of .l Wy consent of parties" Did this shield
nro.a t1e constitution afford the accused any
Of rffeeton tba @ No, sir;I had no 1ntimation
sr snsnanli ane purpose of the body, until saw my
tha dar, ''n p published in the newspapers of
was tay to sn, lhe first thing the Presbytery did
m;niUt " suspend me from the functions of the
ont s; cits.; passing a judicial sentence, with
fence. e.'a.'on uG or trial. or any ehance for de-
sSIe; anT sot and then after this Judicial decision
tend 4J,aon tha IN the premises, notify me to at
trial 'ng gl next meeting of the Presbytery for
our booil Inc G reader will see by reference to
miu;sts. TG0k of discipline, Chap 5, Sec II, that
duly citedn ta under der eensare must be twice
suspend him !" trial before the Presbytery can
notice or nlm. I'm was suspended" without
section VI f,ea1 citation of any kind. This 11th
citation 1r.her 1'h: says: And if, after another
fuse to atteuS n,eh makes the third) he still re-
ciousn 1I'ena, I,, he shall be deemed contuma-
ton. Tho Was Vas d5eposed after the second cita-
these iest2d reader can see at once the regard
charae{teerru {eru..lcal nn inquisitors have for the
auu Tights re ~ y =