The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-21


sound doctrine, ana tn:,, sv..
out liberty of thought and freedom Of speech
in the Presbyterian Church," and that
have neglected what you have given me to
do because Immersed in other business -
to say nothing of the intimation in the sem
tence-" Such abundant expenditure will al
ways cause human nature to Judge that a
change is inexpedient. -
1 will not go over in detail all the charges.
l simply call your attention to the fact, with
out reading what is there said, that in the
issue of May 8, 1871, there is reiteration
of the various charges in the editorial col
umns of the Christian Observer, put in the
mouths of others. Editors know how to do
that thing. l will pass on, however, to that
to which l referred as of sufficient impor-
tance, if true, to drive me in disgrace from
your presence.
1t so happens that replies were made to
some of these articles under examination. l
was consulted as to whether was myself
going to make reply. 81 make reply in
paper which l control and which l edit |!
A reply to charges against my integrity"
No, Moderator Much as l may use the
types, l do not vindicate my character in
newspaper articles. If it is assailed, as it
has been, answer here in the presence of
Christ and his appointed representatives, be-
fore this General Assembly; and there alone
do l consent to appear. This is the only
tribunal before which one of your officers
can reply to such charges. But articles
were voluntarily published by others, indi-
eating the action of the Committee. To one
of these, reply is made in the same jour
nal, dated April 5, 1871. 1t is signed an.
R., or Edwin Cater an additional. He
says: GAS Sc. W. demands 'more explicit
objections to the work of the Committees,
N. R. will be excused if he makes the in
Vestigation. Let it be distinctly understood
that he does not charge crime upon any one,
while ne plainly examines the reports of the
Committees made to the Assembly of MAY,
ttSF0.- Figures tell their own tale. On page
SAT, printed Minutes of Assembly, the Sec
retary states:
"'In consequence of the comparatively
limited means placed at the disposal of the
Committee, very little has been done in the
way of aiding in church erection Eight
congregations have received assistance, but
amounting in the aggregate to something
less than $1,000
"But the corresponding item in the Treas
urer's report is $2,7O0, difference of ST.
700 or more. Then bond reported in the
Foreign Mission Treasury for 1869 has dis
appeared"
"He does not charge crime!'' "FSgures
tell their oaon tale" l will not now COM
ment upon this; but let me call your atten-
ton in the last place, so far as this examina-
ton goes, to the following. After an enume-
ration of the various matters of expense
connected with Foreign Missions, etc., "N.
R., or Edwin Cater" concludes:
"Now Prof. Woodrow was already en-
ployed by the Church for the whole of his
time in one direction, and she pays him
SO, 900 for it"
1t had just been intimated that I was re-
ceiving salary as Treasurer of one thing,
and another as Treasurer of another; and
who knows how many salaries for the various
other "small irons" that I had in the fire !?
And yet had sold "the whole of my time"
to the Church for three thousand dollars !!
1t has been said that there is no charge here
only an inquiry. Now, what would you