The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-03
PresbYtery of Transylvania

Held its regular meeting at Perryville, April 18TH
Rev. Il. A. Bracken was elected Moderator.
Rev. j. j. Cooke was dismissed to join the Pres.
bytery of Louisville.
The Harrodsburg church had leave to prosecute
call before the Presbytery of Muhenburg for the
pastoral services of w. A. Harrison.
Rev. w. +. Junkin and DIR. j. NJ. Meyer were
appointed principal Commissioners to the General
Assembly, and Rev. D. P. Young and j. ?. Laps
ley, alternates.
In response to the circular letter of the General
Assembly's Committee CT Education the following
action was taken:
Presbytery regards with sorrow the condition of
this important work of the Church as stated by the
Committee, and urges upon the churches that they
make contributions for the relief of the Commit
tees embarrassments. Especially and certainly
Presbyery recognizes this obligation of its church
es to contribute to the amount of appropriation by
the Committee upon recommendation of this Pres
bytery
The following action was taken touching the re-
cognition of Campbellite Baptism:
The Presbytery, the Synod, and the last General
Assembly, having expressed the deliberate judy
Baptism, is invalid; the Presbytery is not called
upon to reopen the question in substance but in
pursuance of these decisions, the Presbytery does
enjoin upon all the ministers and church sessions
in its connection TO avoid concession to grievous
error, and the abuse of Christ's ordinance, which
the recognition of such ministration involves.
Rev. G. O. Barnes was given opportunity to
explain wherein his views of doctrine were at va
rance with the Standards of the Church upon
which the following minute, reported by the COM
mittee, was adopted:
Brother G. o. Barnes having stated upon the
floor of the Presbytery, in reply to question ad-
dressed to him by member in debate, that there
are some things in the Confession of Faith which
and subscribed to that Standard in his ordination
vows, he did it gnorantly and in unbelief for
which he obtained mercy; and Presbytery, having
requested and given him an opportunity for ex-
planation and statement of parts or points in the
Confession of Faith from which he supposed he
differed, with view to judging whether the sup
posed differences were real and substantial; in
view Of the whole of the statements Of brother
Barnes, original and explanatory, Presbytery
makes the following declaration:
|. We regard with profound regret and sorrow
the language which Bro. Barnes has allowed him
self to use touching the churchs standard of doc
rine, which no explanation or qualifications could
Justify render consistent so long as he continues
to preach in the church holding this standard, and
under the commission given on MS acceptance of
that Standard.
3 While Bro Barnes explanation of his Ian.
guage used, and his other statements of his views
we're not satisfactory and in some particulars, are
not less painful than his first surprising expressions
of himself and awaken the gravest apprehensions
touching the soundness and future usefulness of our
beloved brother; yet we cannot entirely part with
the hope that upon mature and prayerful refec
ton, and regarding the admonition and of Presby-
terry, he will yet discover and renounce the errors
in his differences from the standards OF the church,
or may discover that his supposed differences are
not real, and that he is able to continue to receive
that Standard as when taking his ordination VOWS
3. We afectionately and solemnly enjoin upon
Bro. Barnes, careful review of his position touch
ing the churchs standard of doctrine, the canon of
Sacred Scripture, the authority Of the church, and
particular doctrines of Scripture. We caution and
admonish him against the use of unguarded ex
IRENE and startling statements as novelties of
Divine truth against disparaging and cavilling
statements touching the standards OF the church !;
against assaults upon the commences of parts Of
the accepted Scriptures and such handling of the
sacred oracles may beget skepticsm and distrust
of the whole sacred canon; against trust in special
Examinations and inspirations in place OF an hum
BILE and reverent study of the written word of God,
and against undertaking estimates and statements
Of the fidelity or competency of his brethren in the
study and teaching of Gods word.
4. we numDly anu earnestly pray Iudl our De-
loved brother and ourselves may be enabled to see,
to embrace and teach alike the truth as it is in
Christ.
Presbytery then adjourned to meet at Richmond
on Friday, the 18th of August, at y o'clock P. NJ
j. V. LOGAN, Stated Clerk.
Private letters report also that on the adoption
of this minute by Presbytery mild and gentle as it
is, ,in view of such facts, Mr.. Barnes declared he
would not 90 forth branded as semi-heretic, but
submitted his ministerial commission to Presbytery
and bid them farewell, thus renounclng the juris'