National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-04
TIE LATE RBH. MR. OoOKBs,
MEETING OF THE CoNGREGAT1o.J OF
THE WESTERN RESBYTyRIAN

MEETING OF THE CONGREGAT1O.J OF
THE WESTERN Pr ESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.
The regular Sabbath services we've held yester-
day in the Western Presbytsripn church, (Rte
DR.. Ooombs.) Rev. Mr.. French. occupied the pull
Dit and discoursed from viz Galleans. At the
conclusion Of the service fLe congregation were
requested to remain, afesr which meeting WAS
organized by the election Of Justice Drake as
chairman and Coleael Amos Webster, secretary,
Judge Drake, On taking the chair, said the OBJ
ject Of the meeting was to give some public e.
preston Of the selling Of the congregation in re-
gard 10 the sad occurrence that took place in the
death 81 thsE pastor, DR.. ]. N. Coombs, on Sun
day hast. ~. ,.,.....- -,
asked Coos aid in behalf OF the Officers OF the
church m the emergency, and to guide and direct
Dr. S1eatman next submitted the following
EXPRESSION OF FEELIEes AND VIEWS.
church and eopTreRaticn Of washington, D. O.,
assembled with reference to the inexpressfbly
BfnictiYe dispensatIon Of Providence with which
visited in the death by his own hand OF their late
beloved pastor, Rev. John n. Coombs would give
public expression 70 the grief which OVerWhelns
Recognizing their obligation in making such an
expression TO speak only the truth, they deem It
utter their T unmo1ed 6O1TiSoS Of The moral in
tegrity and pure Christian character Of the de-
ceased Through q gospel ministry Of twenty MY:
church, his life was not only characterized by
such virtues as adom q Christian profession, but
tTuthfuiness. Discrimination Or fnsincerity; and
this church had no knowledge that any act was
ever imputed to him which could cast shadow
on his name, until they heard Of that which i'm
mediately preceded, and doubtless led to, his
death.
and congregation rejoiced In believing that he
exeDplifed not only in the pulpit, but in his
daily lie the spirit Of the Gospel he so earnestly
preached; and their faith in his piety and per-
sOnal uprightness was never for . moment dis
tuTbed. And they now desire, under full sense
Of their responsibility to public opinion, to the
Church and cause Of Christ, and to God, TO de-
clare that that faith has not been shaken by the
awful circumstances Of his death, nor by those
that the act Of the day before, as we'll as pre-
ViOus similar scts-hrst heard Of by them since
his death-proceeded from description Of mono
mania, well known in medical Jurisprudence, and
recognized by the great mass Of intelligent
people; and believing, further, that the self
destruction was committed as the coroner's Jury
found, IN paroXysm Of insanity, they record
their deliberate and conscientious conviction that
the unblemished history Of his whole preceding
OF Christianity suffer reproach from acts done in
a state Of mind in which he could not, in any fair
judgment of Intelligent men, be considered
morally responsible, and from the committing Of
which they believe that his whole nature, in q
normal condition, would have recoiled with lcath-
ing and horror.
Judge Drake asked if any person was DESTROYS
OF making remarks in the way Of comment.
There being no response, q rising vote was
tsken and the paper was adopted unanimously.
Judge Drake ma de a brief address to the con-
gTegRtiOn, in which he spoke OF the late pastor
being buried and the duty now to turn from the
unfortunate affair and begin Gods work. They
must not any longer dwell on the past, but look
forward 10 the future and the fear Of God and for
his sake stand firm. This was not Mr.. COombs'
church. 1t belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1t did not begin with Mr.. Coembs, and the mem
bers Of the church should not abandon their
places, but oonseorate themselves in It to Christ's
work Let 10 member outside feel because Of
the calamity that he or she must leave the
church. but in the aching Of Mr.. French's text,
all assist in bearing the burden. There must be
no hesitation to serve God and in the future they
must be more faithful, for which they would re-
ceive abundant blessing.
The meeting then adjourned, with the benedic-
tiOn pronounced by Rev. Mr.. French.