The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-04
CITY INrELLIGsNc cR.
PREsBYTERY MEETING.


The Meetins of the Philadelphia Presbyterv-
Interesting Proceedtngs.
The Philadelphia Presbytery (Southj continued it's
sessions this morning In Calvary Presbyterian
church, Locust street above Fifteenth, the Modera-
The morning session was opened with devotional
exercises OF a half hours duration.
The minutes OF the previous meeting were read by
the stated clerk Rev. willard NJ Rice, and after
several corrections had been made, were approved
Rev. Herrick johnson was excused from attend
ct the last session OF the presbytery account
Of the monthly concert Of prayer in his church.
at which he was obliged to be present.
The names OF several ministers were placed upon
the roll they living within the bounds OF the pres
Several other excuses were sustained from yari-
GUS members for absence at the last session.
Several corresponding members we're admitted.
The Standing Committee on Appointment OF Com
mittees made report in part of the names Of the
members of various committees who were obliged to
report this meeting of the presbytery The report
was adopted SO far as presented.
case the usual routine adopted for the spring meet
ing OF the pressytery be this year adopted at the
II was moved that it be stated rule of the pres
bytery that all excuses for absence be received and
reported upon by the stated clerk. Agreed to.
motion was made that standing committee of
one be appointed to cooperate with the Standing
Committee on Assessments, the latter committee
having too much work to do. Agreed to.
On motion the stated clerk was directed to con-
tinae his practice OF notifying the members Of the
On motion the Pine Street Church was fixed as the
A communication was received from Rev. Mr..
Dullis asking to be excused for absence from the
meeting, and asking that the presbytery should take
action and approve of his change of church rea-
tions He had been appointed secretary of one
of the boards which office, being accepted,
communication was received, the excuses accepted
and Mr. Dulis was referred to the standing rules on
the employment of members as covering the whole
ground embraced in his petition.
The Committee on the Minutes OF the General
Assembly reported several items from the minutes
which required the immediate action Of the pres
bytery.
docket for consideration at another time during the
session.
on motion the presbytery proceeded to the con-
sideration OF the state of religion in the Church.
which was to serve the basis of the narrative to
be presented to the General Assembly. The roll
called and each pastor was allowed three minutes to
state the condition OF his charge.
The reports from most OF the churches were very
encouraging. The attendance at the public services
had increased, larger number OF prayer meetings
had been held, and the churches financially were in
more fourshing condition.
The case of the Woodland Presbyterian Church,
West Philadelphia was taken up. On account OF
some difficulty the pastor, Rev. Mr.. RadcliG, asks
permission to resign. The subject had previously
been placed in the hands OF commissioners who
were empowered to examine into the subject.
These commissioners made their report, and the
pastor stated his side Of the He said that the
congregation has at last aequiesced in his request to
resign. The difficulties ia the church are of hnan-
cial character A radical change is desired in the
administration. A large sum Of money must be
raised or the church must be sold. 1t is thought
raised.
ton had said they would subscribe the money If the
pastor resigned.
Considerable discussion took place on the subject
Great objection was made to giving Mr.. Radcif
permission to resign II this was the only reason why
the resignation was desired Some members said
that they would Evote for giving the permission in
order to give comfort to Mr.. Radcliff, but they
wished the church to know that they were pursuing
a very Objectionable course.
Others said that they could not conscientiously
vote for such action even fer the pastors comfort.
The churches had no right to dsplace man who
had been sent by God, just because his personal
attractions are not enough to fill the church, and so
defray all its expenses easily. No one or two men
in congregation should have the right to make an
offer OF this kind and especially when the object is
to procure the services Of what is known as SEN
satiOnal preacher.
The pastor stated that he asked for permission
only because the place had been made uncomtort-
able, not because there any danger of the dis
solution of the church Whether it should go or
stay, there are those In the congregation on both
sides who would be responsible for its continuance
The situation was at present such that the useful
ness OF the pastor Is greatly impaired and he cannot
and will not continue any longer In the connection.
On motion permission was given for him to resign.
motion was also adopted stating that the resig-
nation would be accepted with regret.
On notion the session Of the Woodland Church
was appointed standing committee to SUPPLY its
pulpit for the present.
Mr.. Dana was appointed Moderator of the Wood
land Church Session in the absence of the pastor.
After more unimportant business the presbytery
adjourned until p. NJ.