The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-13
PROF. SWINGS WITHDRAWAL.

LETTER FROM PROF. SWING To THE CHI
CAGo PREsBYTERY-HE DECLARED HIM
SELF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The Chicago papers of the 9th inst con-
tain the following letter from Prof. Swing
which was submitted to the regular semi
annual meeting of the Chicago Presbytery:
PREsBYTERY OF acknowledgements
Whsn, in May last, withdrew from the
church of my birth and choice, the request
for a letter to some kindred church was
postponed, because my withdrawal was
based not upon desire to hasten into some
other denomination, but to hasten away
/ from one in which military spirits. weary OF
prolonged peace, had become prominent,
and, fixing upon me as the casus belli, were
! gathering up the implements and passions
ola insane war. In the few months which
/ have since elapsed, have said nothing and
/ thought nothing about seeking a home in
some other denomination; not only because
my present position is sufficiently peaceful
and good, but because society, being still
| full OF that human nature which made the
old Germans, when admitting a new ally
into their confederation, eSpouse all his
quarrels as theneeforth their Own, / have
| felt unwilling to knock at the gates of any
adjoining tribe, and thus ask them to accent
any part of conflict that seems TO be desc
1 lating the land from which / am making
escape. The seeking of some other ecclesi-
aStical relations must be therefore postponed
to days of peace. Your synod will assemble
ana you Will be asked TO enter upon second
conflict; and knowing what loss of time.
or even injury to religion, is destined to re-
suit from a strife that draws vitality not
| from love of usefulness, but from a fanat-
icism of dogma, l desire to be wholly re-
/ moved from your body rs cause or excuse
| for most harmful conflict. Avowing N.Y.
self Presbyterian in the sense in which the
vast majority of clergymen wearing that
name are Presbyterians, l will not contend
tor my rights to such title nor to any OF its
| hOnoTs, but will yield all, that the pastors of
| your body, tOiling in a largo city, may be
set free from the combat with few closet
theologians, and may give their time and
powers to their nobler work OF leading the
multitude to Jesus Christ. therefore de-
clare myself independent, but ask the es-
/ teemed presbytery to drop my name from
the roll. With assurance of brotherly love,
yours, DAVID SWING.
No. 4O1 Superior street, Chicago, Oct. 5,
1874.
The communication was referred to acom-
mittee consisting OF the Revs. DIR. II. L.
Hurd, ID. s. Johnson and Elder Thomas
Hood. These gentlemen shortly reported
that the request be acceded to- and minute
made of the committees recommendation on
the clerk s record. The result of the vote on
this question of dropping his name was de-
cided by eighteen for granting the request of
Professor Swing, and eleven against. The
Rev. DIR. Swazey submitted the following,
which were adopted without dissent:
Resolved, That having long known, hon
ored and loved Professor Swing, and having
no occasion to sbate anything from the affec-
ton which we have given him in former
years, the Presbytery takes this action with
great reluctance and sorrow.
Resolved, That we hereby assure Professor
Swing that our prayers and good will will
follow him in the Christian work and W arm
personal regard. ,...eHt