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

ceiving his salary from It'll 10 say nothing was
meant by all these things is to repeat the old folly
of those who scatter frebrands, arrows and death,
and say, "Am | not in sport?" 1t is an aggrava-
ton, rather than otherwise, that while some of
these accusations were made expressly, most of
them were skillfuly insinuated.
g The brethren referred to did right in bring.
ing this matter before the Assembly, and asking
an investigation. They did not take this step
without the thorough sanction of others in whose
calmness of judgment, and valuable opinion any
man might safely cou6de. 1t was deeply painful
to them and the whole Assembly, as they listened
to the crushing vindication they presented, and
the extraordinary statements brought out, felt an
intense humiliation that there should be any me-
cessity for two such men to defend themselves be-.
fore the whole Church against such unworthy i'm
putations But we are more and more persuaded
this course the proper one. These accusations,
spread through the columns of one of our reli-
gious newspapers, and seen by thousands and
thousands, were working the mischief usually at.
tending such stories. They had hardly been made
till many Of us in Virginia heard them reechoed
here. To allow this subtle poison to spread and
work its effects through the Church, was to allow
one character to suffer- and with it the Interests
of the Church represented by some of its chief
officers. And the Assembly also did just what was
right 10 making the investigation asked for. To
have done otherwise would have been to consent
that great and public injustice to two of its chosen
men should 90 unrebuked, and to allow the conf
donce of our people in these agencies of their own
Church to be undermined. Any church allowing
this would soon-and deservedly-fnd no men of
high character willing to accept these trusts, and
the confidence of Christian people in their admin.
istration gone. An investigation and vindication
was therefore, proper and timely. Having been
made once, it will not be necessary soon again, even
if such inconsiderate charges are repeated, which
is not likely.
8. 1t need hardly be said that the vindication
of the accused parties was complete 1t lett no
broath of life in the defamations circulated. 1t
was almost pitiable to see them so perfectly hung
up by the neck We have seldom if ever wit
messed an impression such as was made by the
speech of Prof. Woodrow, and the few remarks of
DIR. Wilson which followed. The statements which
they we're compelled to make in regard to them
selves brought out facts that will not soon be for
gotten Very many found their hearts melted
and wept as they heard them.
1t was our purpose to quote here some very Judi
cous and decided editorial remarks recently made
in the North Carolina Presbyterian, and also in
the South Western Presbyterian, as indicating the
light in which this matter is viewed by the reli-
gious press in our own Church But the papers
are not new at hand. A correspondent of one of
the most widely circulated religious papers at the
North gives under the heading of " A Scandalous
Charge" an interesting account Of the scene in
the Assembly, from which we make some extracts
The writer says
"The memorable feature of the discussion was
the speech of the Rev. DR.. Woodrow the beloved
and accomplished Treasurer of these two Commit
tees. DIR. Woodrow has not been usually regarded
as an effective speaker-few men of vast scientific
attachments are He is slight, frail looking man,
scarcely exceeding one hundred pounds in weight.
It was against this gentleman that charges of un-
faitbfulness had been insnuated in religious
newspaper and with sensitive jealousy of honor,
DIR. Woodrow demanded nquisition into his official
conduct. At the invitation of the Assembly, he
took the floor to-day and, for two hours, held the