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

II.
rseEy prominent otficial member of the
Gu lwould have had 40 scruples in doing
crtslde work for the promotion of the interests of
che Church; but my abors have been so intense
in conaexion with this office. that was utterly
unable to do more | have been brought to the
verge Of the grave, Mr.. Moderator, as you well
know, by the anxieties and responsibilities con.
nected with this work.
But, as said, what determined me to speak this
morning, was what was said in relation to my
brother Woodrow. When that brother (before
referred to- aid that was all right, but there was
wanting confidence in him. Professor Woodrow, J
| determined that if be went down | would 60
down with hin. have been intimately associated
with him. have known all his history. If he
does not deserve to live, do not deserve to i've
He and are 50 intimately associated, that We must
stand or fall together. He has told great deal
to-day, but he has not told all that he ought to
tell. His modesty has prevented him from saying
some things which never would have gone beyond
the walls OF the Committee room, if we had not
been forced into this position Now, am going
to say something which | have not even his per.
mission to say. More than year ago, the Treas
urer deposited his funds in the city Of New York,
under the direction and with the appreciation of
the Committee, in two banking houses. One of
those banking houses failed and we lost by it up
wards of three thousand dollars. The Committee
met to consider the matter, and they said most
emphatically to this brother, "Y GU are not under
any more moral or legal obligation to meet that
than we are "Well, said he, you may say
what you please, and pass what resolutions you
please but this Church shall never lose so long as
can help it, one cent of that money" He footed
that bill of uptoards Of three thousand dollars; and
long before any Of this camor was raised about him.
And now, Moderator, he has served as Treasurer
six ten years. The first three years he served
gratuitously; afterwards the Assembly ordered
that he should be paid salary of $780, Well, it
now turns out that with what he has paid down
this year. he has not received one single cent for
all these services and labors during the last six
years! Is that the man some want to tumble out
of doors, and put mark upon him?
One thing more, Moderator, brought out not
privately, but in my report. was compelled the
other day to mention that we were involved in
debt Of $500. 1t was absolutely necessary for us
to meet the drafts coming upon US from Brazil and
China. five did not meet those drafts and pay
them in full, We should utterly break down as
Committee Of Foreign Missions. If one of these
drafts had been protested, we should have been
ruined in the commercial world, where we must
have credit. Well, where should we look for
money to meet that? Why, this brother, with the
men that ever lived, | mean THOMAS WOODROW,
under whose roof have been sheltered, one of the
purest and best men | ever met in my life, man
whose sympathies we're always with us-advanced
this amount Of S., 500 to save us from harm There
may have been such men here in our Southern
country, but do not know the man to whom l
could have looked for assistance in this emergency
1t is true that one gentleman in Baltimore, in re.
spouse to circular sent out some months ago,
very kindly and generously wrote that | might
consider him personally responsible for three or
four thousand dollars in case we should be driven
to the wall. But it was by this friend outside of
our bounds and through the Treasurer himself,
that we were kept from danger of shipwreck. Now,
suppose that censure were allowed to rest upon the
Treasurer and the fact reported to that liberal and
fast friend of our Church in Ohio, what would be
his feelings?
But perhaps have overrun the ten minutes l
intended to occupy have nothing to say in my
own vindicaton. If this Church is not already
convinced that am conscientiously and faithfully
engaged in the work laid upon me, nothing that I
could say would convince it. have no disposition
to say anything of the kind; but do feel deeply
this reckless attack made upon u.s. This Church
as my brother who preceded me has said, and 1
repeat it's dearer to me than my life. DIR. Palmer
in the last General Assembly said that he felt him
self to be DISTINGUISHED man, and he had nothing
in the world to care for but his Church and his