The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-04
Charleston Presbyfery

Met at Barnwell, s. c., April 9th, and was
opened with sermon by the Rev. j. B. Mack,
from Acts xvi 81" Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved"
Present minister's s.; elders, 4.
Rev. Dr. George Howe was elected Moderator.
Edsto Island church was received into the Pres.
bytery.
Two new churches were organised in the sea-
board feld-one, called Harmony church, near
Pocotaligo; and another, colored, called "Salem
church, " in connection with the white church at
Stoney Creek.
tery were received from Rev. John Forrest, d.
D and Rev. w. G. Dana, D. D.; and direct in
formation was given that the Rev. WE Yates
had united with another body. The report OF a
Committee was adopted, which recommended the
dropping of the names OF these brethren from the
roll of Charleston Presbytery.
Letters we're also received from the Rev. Z. 5.
Vedder and the Rev. w. Fl. Adams, assigning
reasons for absence from the present meeting; and
referring to the action of the last meeting OF Pres
bytery with regard to their status. These letters
were freely and kindly discussed in interlocutory
meeting, and then referred to committee. con.
sistipg of Messrs. Boggs, Mack, and Dr. Howe,
and ruling elder Mikell. The committee made the
| following report which was unanimously adopted,
and ordered to be communicated to these brethren:
Il.
the decision pronounced by the General Assembly,
was not of the nature Of discipline, and does not
deprive these brethren of any right or privilege
| on the floor OF this body.
2 That the Presbytery, while adhering to the
decision of the Assembly, decision virtually ex-
pressed years ago by this Presbytery (see printed
| Minutes, Nov. 1853, p. lS,)-yet, in view OF the
| fact that 1t has countenanced the formation and
existence of these relations 10 the past. does not
desire to take measures looking to the dsplace-
ment Of these brethren from their present posi-
tons but leaves the matter to their own consclen-
tious Judgment.
g. That the positive effect Of the action of the
Assembly and Presbytery, is, to bar the institu-
ton of such relations in the future, but does not
cast any more censure upon the brethren holding
these relations than it does upon the Presbytery
itself which permitted their existence.
a. Upon these grounds Presbytery would re-
spectfully ask brother Vedder to withdraw his
| ignation of the Office of Stated Clerk, which he
has faithfully and efficiently filled.
5. That the Clerk be instructed to forward
copy of this minute to the Rev. Messrs. Vedder
and Adams.
Very much of the interest of the meeting was
upon the subject Of Domestic Missions. The Pres.
bytery employs three evapgeists in its desolate
field, and the reports from these are full OF en-
couragement. In the sea-board field. two new
churches have been organised by the Rev. j. B.
Mack and Messrs. j. d. A. Brown, in the Or
angeburg. and George j. Porter in the Aiken
field, made gratifying statements with regard to
their work.
The Rev. J. Douglass Brown from Harmony
Presbytery was received as member Of Charles
ton Presbytery.
Aiken was appointed the place of the next meet
ing on Thursday, October 18th, 1870, at p. NJ.
The Rev. W. T.. Boggs was elected commissioner
to the General Assembly, and the Rev. J: l. Cir
ardeau, d. d., alternate. Gen. +. W. McMaster
was elected commissioner from the ruling elder
ship, and VIM. Harral, alternate.
The attention of Presbytery was called to the
Synodical assessment of $500 for the Theological
Seminary, and the Rev. DR.. Howe was appointed
as a committee to attend to the raising of this
amount.
Excuses were received from the Rev. w. S. Lee
and the Rev. Edward Palmer for absence from
this meeting and also from the Revs. Drs Leland
and Smyth. Excuses were received also from all
the churches unrepresented, except the Second
and Central churches Charleston, and the CHURCHES
| at Summeryle and WATERFORD.
1t was,
Resolued, That Charleston Presbytery inquiries
from the General Assembly, Is it not expedient
to define precisely the difference between indefinite
suspension and accommodation"
1t was also
Resolved That Charleston Presbytery, whilst
approving in the main of the principles contained
in the new Form of Government, would neverthe-
less ask of the Assembly that it be left with the
Presbyteries, for their consideration, at least an
other year, so that the question of its final adop-
ton shall not be submitted TO the Presbyteries be-
fore the year 1872.
Charleston Presbytery reported to General AS.
sembly that $1,000 had been raised and expended
for missionary purposes, within its bounds, during
the year ending March 81, 1870, and that no part
of this amount was derived from the Assembly's
Committee of Sustentation.