Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-10

directly, into connection with the secession
opposition, and in view of my being called,
suggested that it might be we'll to investigate
that Bethlehem matter. And the seces-
sionists were thereupon brought into COM
munication with an individual in Philadel-
phia, who furnished them with version Of
the story little like your own; which they
circulated through the city; and even
brought up on the evening Of the election.
But let me here add that the highly honora-
bic and christian element constituting the
New School churches in this city not only
had no sympathy with this mean and ma
levolent attempt, but treated it with scorn
and indignation as did likewise many who
were opposed to me on political grounds.
This first church during the war, had been
Of strongly disloyal character; but there
was now a determination on the part of its
loyal members to rescue it from the fangs
of treason, if possible. An election for
Pastor was thereupon held Tin Jan. last,)
and the loyal members, proving to be in the
majority, gave me call to the pastorate. I
cannot here go into particulars: but let it
suffice to say that between the time of the
election and the meeting of Presbytery in
April, remarkably extensive consultation
with brethren residing outside of our little
State was had by the disloyalists; and when
Presbytery met, the aforesaid election was set
aside without ceremony, in most unconsti-
tutional manner; the pulpit was likewise
taken out of the hands of the Pastor elect,
and the minority of the church placed in
the ascendent An appeal was taken to the
General Assembly; but on promise being
made to the church in Presbytery, ION May
a. that if the appeal were withdrawn and
another election held, any one who might
be elected should be installed, the appeal
was withdrawn; and at a proper time, and
after due notice, another election was ac-
oordingly held; the majority in the mean
time having so greatly increased, that the
minority did not venture even to bring forth
their candidate; and thus l was unanimously
elected whereupon, the minority took vio-
lent possession of the church edifce. The
Presbytery then held another meeting and
sanctioned this action of the minority, and
thus it has really happened here, as the
! southern traitors intended it should happen
: in regard to our government itself, that the
| minority has been engineered into possess
! sion of our rights and property, and the
! church itself has thus far and by means of
l this action, lost its possessions, only because
} it has sought to be true to our country, and
, to the utterances of the General Assem-
: bly,. Should the disloyal minority, however,
succeed in retaining possession, | earnestly
. hope and entreat that the friends Of the
9 Union will not permit the church itself to
suffer for its faithfulness to God and to its
/ country; but assist it with the necessary
= means to erect another house of worship.
"During my present visit to the eastern
-, States have consented tosupply this church
with the ministrations of the Gospel, in COM
! pliance with its earnest solicitations. But
7 it is hardly reasonable to expect that should
/ consent to continue in charge for if even
r. the late appointment by the General Assem-
u bly, were out Of the question, Il should scarce
= ly feel willing, without stronger reasons than
,, those which now exist, to come into imme-
IS diate Presbyterial relationship with brethren
e with whom, as the foregoing facts evince,
n | could have no cordial cooperation. Their
action in setting aside the call, and taking
u possession of the pulpit, would have been
II effectually remedied, had the appeal to the
5, General Assembly in May last been prose-
GulGus Dub lnC GdoG 10 huh dltCAO0 III
,r various aspects for the Presbytery in its
n more recent action has refused to recognise
y as a representative of the church its only
is existing loyal Elder, and so have rendered
n it impracticabe for the church to take 8
formal appeal to the Synod Except from
le this decision) in relation to the still later
IN but very oppressive action Of Presbytery
m in the case. What the result may be, time
d. will determine. The field appertaining tC
&c the Old School Church in this city, is q
III great and noble one, and should be thor
n oughly cultivated. A strong sympathy has
Ct been awakened in the public mind on behalf
:, of the church itself, and trust that Chris
= will in due time send it Pastor to aid il
c. in doing the work which might have been
nt done long since, and which was in most en-
he couraging progress at the time when the
n Presbytery interfered and arrested it, BY
cd taking the pulpit out of the hands of th'
a. Pastor elect and placing it in the hands o
us disloyal minority. Yet the hope is conf
&C IDENTIFY INDUCED that tie Synod will take th'
o, matter into consideration, Notwithstanding
or the aforesaid attempt to deprive the churct
n; even of the power to appeal
~ "To conclude; Ifas the spirit of prophec,
- clearly seems to intimate ip the Divin'
~ Word, the time is at hand when the churcl
y; of Christ is to pass through those purifyin
m fires which are to preccde her millennia
III state, and the glorious appearing of her Go
and Saviour, then let us not be unmindful c
aO !, this truth. The "sons of Levi" must pas
no through the refining process, and blessed ar
" they who render notsuch judgment Of the
~ brethren whom the Lord may first appoir
ny to that crucible, as shall result in their ow
~ " sad discontinue when that Judgment as
'ar surely will be, is brought to pass upon then
an selves. "For with what judgment ye judg
~ ye shall be judged; and with what measur
~ We mete it shall be measured to you again.
'ie A child of God is not unfrequently thu
er; tried, that the thoughts of many hear
70 may be made manifest, as preparatory
leu that Judgment which in the Divine Prov
"s dence, must, sooner or later be made to pal
upon his judges themselves.
rst ''You have put me to the pain and labor
dis thus addressing you in order to correct yol
injurious statements; but have endeavo
ned ed as kindly as possible to do in the matt
orc that which this most painful duty require
,tle ask only that you do what may yet renal
vas within your power to repair the injury yC
lis have effected; whereupon the whole matt
ian so far as | am concerned in it shall becou
os as though it never had been. lam too we
~ acquainted with the truth that our best e
- deavors are imperfect and mingled with 81