Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-15
pRES.YrERY OF CHESAPEAKE
The Alexandria Church.

HC 1CSDS lGly VI OhS''al
adjournment, re-asscmbed at the Second fres-
byteriau Church, in this city, at / O'Clock yes
tcrday morning, Rev. Mr. Conpston' Modera-
tor, presiding
The session was opened with prayer by Dr.
Mitchell, after which the roll was Called and
a quorum being present,
DR., Bullock expressed a desire that COM
mittee should be appointed to examine aud
audit his accounts as treasurer OF the oustenta-
ton Committee, and the accounts we're refer
red to Mcssrs. Stephenson aud Anderson.
The order of business, the acceptance OF Dr.
BuIlocks resignation OF the pastorate OF the
Second Church in this city, was then taken up
when, r
the congregation, presented the action OF Mon
day uignt's meeting, requesting the acceptance
ot DR.. Bullock's resignation, and asking that
his pastoral relations be Dissolved.
On motion OF Mr.. Pizer, the paper was re-
ceived.
Rev. G.. W. Layburn moyeI that the pasto-
raj relations be Dissolved, ADD while expressing
his regret for the necessity, thought that when
the pastor and officers could not agree that Tor
the good of the church the pastor should re-
tire. He considered the interest OF the church
superior to everything. There was nothlng
serious or grave between the pastor aud officers
| except question OF yeraclty lie was sorry
that the meeting had been held, aud was OF
the opinion that the difficulty should have
been arranged privately; that II the pastor was
| apgrievcd there should have been AL lnVestl-
gaIon by the Elders and Deacons
7, L., bar uyaa rrn un
| lent in his remarks, and
The Moderator, ccinciding, called him to Or
| der.
Dr. Wright hoped there would be no discus
| sion.
DR., Lcyburn was for the peace and good Of
the church
DIR. Leftover desired that the minority OF the
church should BIZ heard, and moved that Mr..
| Ii. .. Ciaug hton, as representative OF that
minority, be granted the privileges OF the f1Jor.
| MIR. Baskerville thought too much bad been
said in public already, aud favored taking the
vote at once.
DIR. Leftover did no, want anything kept
back-private talking did more injury than
| public He argued that the constitution OF
| the church guaranteed protection to mluorlles.
| DR.. Murkaud wanted to hear both Sides In
asmuch as he was 10 sit as judge.
| Mr.. Leyburn was not opposed to DR.. Bull
lock, but was opposed to SO much publicity.
DR.. White thought further discussion would
only produce more excitement. Tie did not
believe the minority had right TO be heard
unless the church demanded it.
| DR.. Berry was for letting everything come
| out.
DIR. Murkand read from the church form to
show when minorltles may be heard.
The motion to hear Mr.. Claughton was de-
cided in the affirmative.
The Moderator hoped that 10 what was to
| be said amenity and christian forbearance would
! be observed.
MIR. Claughton said he would say nothing
offensive or unparllmcntary, and nothing that
| he had said on the night previous had been
unchriStiau. a large minority had desired to
express their confidence and love for their pas
tor, aud if the vote had been taken in the
manner prescribed, majority would have vot-
| ed against the resolution adopted. More than
| one third had demanded the ayes and noes,
but the Moderator had decided the motion lost.
His desire was that the names of the voters
should be carried to Presbytery, as required,
so that the character and Influence Of those
voting might be known. He contended that
| the form Of government had not been carried
out, and the rights OF the minority had been
| sacrificed, and great outrage perpetratcd
upon them at the previous nights meeting
The Moderator MIR. Murkland in the chair
explained his ruling, which he held to be IN ac-
cordauce with the forms of the church govern
ment His ruling had been CONSCIENTIOUS, and
| if he had erred, it was an error OF judgment.
Dr. Murkland did not thiuk this was the
time to bring in any other issue.
Mr.. ID. L. Snoot replied to Mr.. Claughton,
and said he would be calm and speak the
words Of sober thought. lie was astonished to
hear that wealth aud influence was to be thrown
into the scale when souls were in question. Ii MIR
| Claughton had on the previous night disclosed
his plan all would doubtless have been willing
| to have recorded their votes for or against DIR.
Bullock. The speaker then reviewed the pro
ceedngs Of the church meeting, and defended
the ruling Of the Moderator. lie acknowledg
ed the rights of mnorites, but said that ma
iorties must rule or else Satan would govern.
He denied that under any circumstances were
the majority opposed to accepting the rcsigua-
ton of DR.. Bullock, and that unless fraud
could be proved the action of the meeting was
valid and expressed the true sense of the con-
| gregation. He had been opposed to the meet
| ing and would rather the members had cores
pended with the secretary by letter. He then
read tue proceedings OF the churcn mcetlng.
Mr.. Claughton said life was too short aud
time too precious to be wasted In following the
argument of Mr. Smoot lie defended his
course in demanding an aye and 10 vote, and
said he had not charged fraud, but considered
that the rights of the minority had been VIC
lated.
DR.. Wright thought the Moderator in his
ruling and the meeting in its action we're
wrong.
DR.. Lcfever contended that the demand for
an aye and no vote being called Tor by one
third should have been acceeded to. In order
to secure unity he wished the Elders had re-
signed.
Mr.. Jameson said the meeting had kept up
so late that there was no time for designations
or anything else.
DIR. Leyburn expressed the view that the
ruling of the Moderator was correct as the ac
ton Of the meeting had done away with the
r,pgt onl1 thn, ,1l