The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-13

pose OF receiving the application Of Rev.
I. V. Moore for dissolution of his pastoral
relations to the First Presbyterian church of
Richmond, and dismission to the Presby-
terry of Nashville, with the view of accept
ing a call to the First church Of Nashville" ;"
Rev. John Miller was elected moderator,
and Mr.: William F. Taylor temporary
clerk. The roll was then called and the fol-
lowing members found present: Rev. John
Miller, Drs. Brown, Moore, Read, Hoge, and
Baird; Revs. Price and Watt; and Elders
Thomas Samson, 4. A. Payne, and 3. R.
Wexford.
The call for the meeting having been
read, the call of the church in Nashville to
Dr.. Moore, and other papers relating to the
matter, were laid before Presbytery.
DR.. Moore then, with much feeling, stated
his reasons for wishing the change. He
said that it was about the most painful
duty Of his life. Tventy-one years since
he was admitted a member of this Presby-
terry, and of those who were then present
only one was here now. One-fifth of the
number had gone to their reward, and those
who survive are scattered all over the
country. Thee changes, in contemplation
Of his early departure, gave tinse of sad
ness to his feelings. His relations to his
church were too sacred, too trying for him
to speak Of. He could not do it. Nothing
but the conviction that his usefulness to
Christ would be increased could have in
duced the change; but he found his health
giving way, and he hoped the change would
| be beneficial to him. True, ne had thus far
been %shle to keep up, and as he had no or
| H. &l IL
change would enable him to keep up q good
while longer. He was physically incapa-
bic to do the work which he saw spread out
before him: but still he was willing to
labor on, and had never thought of seeking
a change, and had repelled every attempt
to induce him to make one. Last spring,
however, vacancy had occurred in the
First church of Nashville, and the question
had been pressed upon him in such shape
that he was obliged to consider it. He
considered that the increased leisure from
the preparation for the Sabbath on his new
field would enable him 10 take the open
air exercise, so much demanded by his fail
ing health. 1t would amount, indeed, to a
vacation from study. Every affection of
his heart and its every emotion were
against leaving his people and his charge
here. Twenty-Five years ago he and the
moderator were classmates in Princeton.
Of all those who were there, but few, COM
paratively, are left. One by one they are
falling off and in short time this ques-
ton Of parting with his congregation would
have to be met at the death bed, and un-
der circumstances much more impressive
than those by which he was now surrounded
For these reasons he had felt himself
compelled to ask for this dissolution Of pas
toral relation.
At the conclusion of DR.. Moore's re-
marks, Mr.. William ?. Munford, one of the
commissioners from the First church, read
the proceedings of Il meeting Of the congre-
cation, and letter from the pastor giving
in detail the reasons for his resignation.
Rev. II. d. Hoge offered the following
minIte as expressive of the feelings o.
Presbytery and its action in relation to th'
question before it,
The Rev. 7. V. Moore, D. D., havin:
applied for the dissolution of his pastora
relation with the First Presbyterian church
OF Richmond, and for q dismission to tht
Presbytery Of Nashville, with the view O.
accepting a call from the First church il
the city of Nashville, and the commission
ers appointed lor the purpose having pre-
scented the resolutions adopted at n congre
gatioual meeting of the First Presbyterian
church of Richmond, signifying its sorrow
ful acquiescence in the request of its pas
tor, the Presbytery Of East Hanover does
hereby declare the relation between DR.
Moore and that church dissolved, and alst
orders that a dismission to the Presbytery
of Nashville be granted.
ain sundering the tie which has so Ion!
bound DR.. Moore to this body and to thu
church in which he has ministered, THU
Presbytery cannot refrain from giving some
expression to the sorrow which fills TIT
heart of every member in anticipation O
the separation about to take place. Fol
more than twenty years, at regularly re
curing meetings, we have had spread be
fore us the evidences Of the zeal, fidelity
and success with which he has discharged
his pastoral office. We have appreciated
the efficient attention to Presbyterial du
ties, the earnest devotion to the interests 0
the kingdom of our Lord, the uniform cour
tesy and kindness of manner which have
characterized his connection with this body
and his intercourse with its members, an(
We cannot part from a brother so valued
and beloved for his personal worth, yariec
attainments, and widespread usefulness
without the heartfelt prayer that his trans
terrence to another field may prolong hi
days and make the remainder of his lif
even more happy and honored than the pas
has been"
DR.. Hoge prefaced the introduction o
| 81, rll lpIi 70 hn n
daily happening to remind him that this
world OF changes in which we live. Three
parties we're particularly affected by thu
change. First, DR.. Moore himself, VIII
: has spoken TO you Of his emotions on tn
occasion. He had long thought that tn
separation Of q pastor from his people wa
much harder on the former, for while Me!
part from one, he parts from hundreds. ii
felt in this instance much for both. Tn
commissioners had spoken of their feeling
in view of this separation, but they coul
not be expressed in words or told on paper
Dr.. Moore had alluded to the fact Of tn
, speaker being the only member Of Presby
!. terry now present when he entered it twenty
one years ago. He (Dr. Hoge) had presi
ded at the meeting which admitted him
: had taken part in his ordination and in
stallation, had been with him in seasons
joy and of sadness, of mirth and Of griei
: and he could lay his hand on his heart en-
say that not one unkind feeling towards hi
) brother had ever there been entertained.
Rev. Dr.. William Brown seconded tn
resolution in touching terms. he had al
ways regarded this as the most solem
E business which Presbytery had 20 pei
form. Relations of this kind are not a.
, ways long-lived-seldom as long as this
= He iDr. Brown had but recently passe