Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-01-23

of the Presbyterian Church, in solemn
conclave have issued their momentous
decree, and it is now knowa that from
the date of this important order, DIR.
Henry West is suspended from his po-
sition as Elder of the Church, and
Furthermore from all christian inte--
course with the Church as member
thereof. Was the decision wise one z
Has it tendency to advance the cause
of religion in our midst? or upon the
contrary, will not the result more prob
ably engender discord and dissension
in the Church itself, and be productive
of no good, but great harm?
For many years DIR. West has been
leading, energetic and respected mem
Der of the Church,-y he has been a
respected member or else the Church
would not have bestowed upon him the
trusted and responsible position OF
% Elder; until quite recently no imputa-
ton of impiety, no charge of wrong
has ever been intimated against him;
and even suppose he was guilty in part
ofthe charges recently preferred against
him. The acts were committed under
great excitementandg great provocation.
The testimony on but one side was
heard, and it was well known that
there were many persons present, at
these several alleged controversies OF
equal respectability with the gentle
man who gave testimony, who Will
with positiveness assert that no pro-
fame word fell from the lips of DIR.
West, but they were not heard, and
why? because of a most uncharitable
ruling of the Session, which prohibited
the presence of other parties, even
against the earnest appeal, the demand
of the accused that it was his right to
have a fair, open, public trial-whether
he had grounds to feel aggrieved at
any individual member of the session
or not; yet, we venture, that no such
order has been issued by O similar
court, under such circumstances in the
town OF st. Clairsville for many a year
The U. P. Church do not SO conduct
trials of their members in such way.
When the Rev. DIR. Young presided
over that Church, there were several
Church trials-not necessary here tc
specifically mention-but well remem-
tered by many of our citizens;-there
was no secret trial, they desired every
one to hear, they wanted criticism
they had alone in view the hope thai
they might arrive at ajust and proper
conclusion. Without attempting to
detract from the Intelligence or integ'
rity of Mr.. Alexander, yet no more in
telIigent and upright gentleman ever
1ninistered to the spiritual wants Of 8
congregation in this community than
1he Rev. DIR. Young-he always looked
to the good of the Church, and the
spiritual progressive advancement oi
every member. Then we assert, with
kindness, that through mistaken zeal
or for some other unknown cause that
the DIR. West trial is without precedent
"a farce. What good then will result
from this proceeding, each side will
have its especial advocates, bad feeling
will arise, where christian harmony
should have been cultivated, hate viii
make its appearance whore love shoIld
predominate. That is not the manner
in which Christ spread abroad the grea
truths of his holy religion. dis. j.
Suppose, as we before said, that DR.
West had been guilty as charged
and infringed upon the very prope
rules of the Church; yes, say he wa
guilty, how does Christ direct you t
do? does ne direct you to anathema
tise, to censure, to punish, to cut Of
from christian intercourse the accused
and thus widen the breach and throw
obstacles in the way Of his return to tn
fold, or rather does he not say, "For
you forgive men their trespasses, you
Heavenly Father will also forgiv'
you,' which think you is the bette
way to do, to heal up the troubles, fol
low ouG the doctrine of. true christial
love and charity, and receive tina
much desired commendation, "Blesse
are the peace makers for they shal
be called the children of GOO" or tax
such action as has been taken by thi
Session-the whole tendency of whic
has been to sow discord, and the iney
liable result to reap evil.
We have beon going upon the pre-
b. sumption that these charges were true
p. but R. West utterly denies their truth
~ he has put in the plea of not guilty
he has taken an appeal to the Presby
sgfery WHARF the nattar will be invest