Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-01-30

Solomon says The begi'ning of
strife is as when one letteth out water;
therefore leave off contention, before it
be meddled with" Had the Ecclesi-
ast.cal Court lately in session in the 1st
Presbyterian Church of this place been
guided by this admonii'on of the wise
man, Dr.. West would not have been
put OF t-ial.
The general circumstances in the
case are all known to the public as
well as to The Church. In view of
these circumstances, was it the una
voidable duty of lhe session to b1.ng
him 70 / ial?
AdmiUt:ag, fer arguments sake, the
0 'ginal cha gcs true, we still deny the
necess.,y or duty of any trial. Almost
at the ve,y beginning of the trouble,
the session had the following paper put
into their hands by the Doctor:
"APoLoGY.-If during an occurrence
on the 7th day of November last, whilst
in the performance of my official duty
as Mayor, and in the act of self-defence
any hing was said or done by me det-
rimeD al to the interests of this Church
or derogatory 10 the cause of religion,
L sincerely regret it. Respectfully,
Henry WEST"
ST. CLAIRsvrLLE. o., Dec. II, '72.
All reasonable men will agree that
this was sufficient and should haye
ended the entire t: ouble.
Apart from this consideration there
is an Cd and familiar principle of Ec-
cles;astical law-"That all exercise of
discipline must be for the good Of the
Church and reformatory in nature"
The Doctor, from being assaulted, was
angry, justly angry, ,and having no time
for reflection may have acted hastily,
better that than hypocrirically. The
Decor Is either true friend or an open
enemy. He has no two characters,
either of which he can assume as re-
venge or inte- est may dictate. The
session cannot succeed in making this
community in which he has lived for
over forty years, believe him to be
other than he is a tue man.
Let US apply the above principal to
the case
What good could his t.ial cause the
Church? and in what way did they e.
pect t. reform the Doctor? For to be
legal ard reasonable it must accom-
plish both of these.
For the purpose of explaining the
proceedings in this case and throwing
some Light upon the conduct of all par
es, let us examine the personal rela-
tiol and friendship existing between
The parties themselves
The moderator has known the Doc
tor all his life, indeed, perhaps, the
Doctor was the first man he ever saw
in this world. He certainly knew |
tna: he did not use profane language;
did not fight, for until that time no
man ever laid finger on him in anger;
that he was fist in every good word
and work in the congregation, that he
was the most active in procuring his
Honor to locate here and in all possible |
ways assisted in supporting the pastor,
as we'll as in procuring an inclea of
his salary.
Another member of the Court was
equally well acquainted with the ac-
cused and had an additional cause to
regard him kindly, u the remem-
hrance that when his own character
was not as acAi'e as agoot, and charges
brought against him as hard as line.
stone, still ihe Doctor, guided by an
enla ged cha;lty and the foregoing
rule passed them Over quietly. Under
SUCH circumstances what should have
been the conduct of the Court, as good
friends and Christian brothers of the
Doctor? Why did they not say to the
men urging the trial-men who were
his open enemies, friends of the ring
'Regoae, or we viii expose you in
your efforts to injure and abuse our
friend and Christian biother.
What good would have come of
forcing the Doctor out even if it did
yTatify S,tch nsC7 dS H., p. d; C.
The accused mas certainly met with
persecution where he had every right
% espaet gratitude, The Doctor may &;
almost exclaim with ths post
IF there be crime of deeper dye
Than all the guilty train of human
vices;
Tis ingratitude.
Having seen that duty did not re-
spire his prosecution, and that policy,
Christian charity end gratitude de-
handed, positive refusal on the part !,
If the Session, a refusal accompanied
~ severe reprimand of those insti-
,ating the proceedings, they should
ave refused to prosecute. Why this was
lot the case all men may not agree in |