The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-02

church, Louisville, at u o'clock, with view to
such inquiry into the state of the First church, it
will hold session at the First church the following
evening December 9 and hereby notifies the
officers of the church and the congregation to be
present at said meeting, with any suggestions they
may have to make, looking to removal of their
troubles
I'd. That the session of the First church are
hereby directed TO receive and comply with the re
quest of Mrs. X. Hademan and other fourteen
members of the church, in their letter to the ses
sion of October H. 1874 withdrawing their request
for letters of dismissal, and expressing their inten
ton to remain in connection with the First church.
restoring to the roll of the First church the names
of those persons aud treating them as if no such
dismission had been asked or granted
3d. That the session of the First church are
hereby instructed to report their compliance with
this direction at the adjourned meeting of the
Presbytery on the second Tuesday in December.
4th. That in view of the existing troubles in the
First church, making it manifest there is no pros
pect of eectiug reconciliation Of the difficulties
and restoring harmony between the pastor and a
large portion of the church, the Presbytery hereby
expresses its judgment that the best interests OF
the church demand that Dr. Samuel K. Wilson
should Immediately retire from his position as
pastor of the First church.
The recommendations of the report on the me-
mortal of Messrs Casseday aud others were also
adopted by o vote of II ayes, nays, and non
liquet
Resolued. First-That in the judgment of this
Presbyery the facts set forth in The several papers
show that the memoriaists are fully vindicaed, as
Christian men and church officers, against the I'm
putations upon their characters as members and
officers Of the-ahurch 10 the public sddress'of DR..
Samuel Il Of September 23i, including
tue .n,put&tioLs von.aiued In hisstate isestof Jdy
reproduced on that occasion and they are entitled
to the confidence and regard of their Christian
brethren in any church. In the difficulties which
have led TO their asking dismission from the First
church, Louisville they have been, in the j1dg
ment of Presbytery, seeking to maintain the dig
nifty and independence Of the ruling eldershlp, as
understood in the churches of Kentucky, as against
what they properly regarded as usurpaton OF power
| by their moderator.
2 That the memorialists have, however, erred
in judgment first, in submitting so long in silence,
for the sake of peace, to the assumption OF au
thority over them and the congregation by their
moderator, which is contrary to the spirit OF our
constitution, instead of bringing these assumptions
to the notice of the Presbytery; secondly In seek
ing dismisson from the church to which some OF
them have devoted themselves for so many years,
as measure of peace, instead of insisting upon
church, and demanding the protection OF the Pres
bytery the constitutional adviser both of the
church and the pastor.
3. The Presbytery hereby advises the memo
rislists to resume their positions as members and
ruling elders of the First church. Louisville. and
hereby directs the session to receive them as such.
As the purpose for which the letters OF dismissloD
Ito prevent disturbing the peace OF the church, has
been frustrated by the extraordinary course OF the
= IL - o. .Nfor.1 hor M
as the very minute ordering these letters contains
imputations which, if the memoriasts had been
aware of, they would have withdrawn the applica
ton for letters of dismission, Presbytery regards
their letters as practically null and void, so far as
any of the parties may decline to receive them
and, therefore, that the parties dismissed under
that order of session. and declining to accept the
dismisson, are still members in good standing oil
the First church of Louisville.
Presbytery earnestly exh0rts all parties to
study the things that make for peace to forget
these differences in united and earnest effort by
prayer to the Head of the Church and the use Of
every scriptura means to stay the manifest decline
relatively in strength and Influence from its former
high position among our churches OF this lmpor
tant congregation. And, if such union of heart
and effort cannot be in good degree effected un
der the present government In the church, then 10
the judgment of Presbytery the interests OF the
congregation are Iar more ItD pOrldub Iuhu Iue HUI
vidual interests of any officer; and the session
should retire from Office and give the congregation
the opportunity of selecting session under which
the affairs OF the church can be carried on more
tremendously and SUCCESSFULLY
g. That the session of the First church is hereby
directed to report their compliance with the dlrec
ton and advice herein given and its results to az
adjourned meeting of PreSbytery to be held OF
the second Tuesday evening in December, In par
for IF tha offaira of the HRS
church.
Such is the present aspect OF this truly unfor
tunate difficulty. 1t is impossible to excuse the
attitude of defiance which DR.. Wilson has assumed
toward the Presbytery and many of its members
but some palliation is to be found in the natura
defects of his disposition and in the fact that hi
mind has been agitated by severe domestic trials
Outside of the First church his course is severely
denounced The church itself is nearly evenly di
vided, and division seems not i'm probable.
The Presbytery reassembles on the second Tues
day in December to consider the question further
May it have grace and wisdom to settle this grea
difficulty, so that it may no longer be scandal t
our holy religion Christian Observer.
= The Christian Observer of November 18th
from which the above account is taken, mentions
10 another place that on the preceding Sabbath
(22d) DR. Wilson proceeded to the utmost ex
tromity." Last Sunday was the most inclemen
Sabbath for months A notice was given in thu
morning that congregational meeting would b
held in the afternoon. Its purpose was not init
mated, and while the rain was pouring in torrents
without, seventy or eighty persons who had obtain
ed proxies from less than half of the congregation
assembled in the Lecture Room, and proceeded tt
declare the First Church independent There wa
so much injustice and SO many irregularities CON
nected with the calling and the conduct of tht
meeting, that there will no doubt be an appeal t.
the civil Law