Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-06-04

of our Church.
Resolved, End. That lnasmuch as Presby-
tery in the paper referred to, has conceded
the principle THAT the majority have
right to insist upon their choice, and it is
the duty of the minority at least to cease
their opposition to a majority as large as
this and in the same paper it is said
Presbytery would distinctly state that
''this action is not taken from any want
of confidence in or cordiality for the Rev.
Donald Ross, OF from any unWillingness to
welcome his settlement within our
bounds,' we hereby renew our application
to PreSbytery for the services OF the Rev.
Donald Ross us stated supply, with a view
Of his settlement as pastor of this church,
and in view of the Importance of an early
decision of the question, we pray for a IA
vOrable and immediate consideration OF
our petition.
Resolved, Sd, That we respectfully but
earnestly request our brethren OF the mi
nority to acquiesce in this action, assuring
them that we highly appreciate their
ability and worth as members of this con-
gregation, and earnestly desire their hearty
cooperation in advancing it's interest, both
temporal and spiritual.
AS clerk of the meeting he had transmit
ted the proceedings to Rev. DR.. Ross but
had gotten no official answer. 1t was ru-
incurred here that he had declined to &C
cept the call. OF that he could say moth
ing, but still, if he had declined that would
not settle the question involved. The
question was whether nine-tenths of a
congregation have a right to their choice,
and whether they can be deprived of the
exercise of that right by the persistent re-
sistance of minority of one-tenth. The
Lexington congregation wanted Presby-
terry to lay down the principle that the
majority In church shall rule. and any
other decision by this body cannot fail to
cause trouble. The meeting that asked
this was one of the largest ever held by
the congregation of Lexington church,
except, perhaps, that which called Dr..
Ross. The minority had held aloof from
the meeting. The principle asked for is
important and it is also important to the
congregation-to one dear to the hearts Vi
the congregation, that Presbytery shall
stand by it's resolutions and that no re-
Elections be cast upon Rev. DR.. Ross. Mr..
Barcley added that conferences had been
held between the minority and majority and
that both parties had felt that an appear
ance of representatives on the floor OF
Presbytery might lead to renewal of the
scenes which had occurred at the Tink-
ling Spring session, and tend to injure the
cause of true religion in our midst.
THE DECLENsIoN OF DIR. ROSS.
At the close of Mr.. Barclays remarks
Rev. VIM. E. Baker read letter from Rev
Donald Ross, which that gentleman had
desired to be read in case an official letter
OF the same purpOrt, he had written to
Prof. Campbell had not reached that gen
tleman in time to be presented to Presby-
terry. DR.. Ross in his letter to Mr.. Baker
says that he learns that Lexington congre.
CATION has resolved to persist in its call to
him, Notwithstanding Presbytery's recon-.
mendation, and adds: 81 regret this, as
it is disrespectful to the power over them in
the Lord, and / wrote in due time saying
that such action, then in contemplation
would not meet my appreciation. |
regret exceedingly the trouble your Pres
bytery has been put to in the matter, and
hope that you understand it in it's true
merits"
Prof. Campbell said he had received a
private letter from DR.. Ross, saying that
under the circumstances he declined to &C
cept the call Of Lexington church, but had
no f,As III of bo
less the letter DR.. Ross referred to was IN
the mail now at Lexington.
MORE LETTERS.
Several other letters were read bearing
on the subject. One was letter from
Col. Preston, saying that the objections to
DE-. Ross had been more than confirmed
since the Thinking Spring session, but as
he learned DR.. Ross had declined the call,
he would refrain from saying more An
extract was read from letter of Col
Preston to DR.. Ross, giving that minister a
{" fair view" Of the character of the meet
ing which had insisted on calling him, and
saying that the resolutions adopted were
neither advocated nor resisted.
A RESOLUTION FOR A SETTLEMENT.
Rev. Dr.. Ewing introduced preamble
and resolutions, setting forth the narrative
of the case, and resolving LIST, to grant
Lexington church the right to call DR..
Ross, and End, saying that the action of
Presbytery at the Thinking Spring session
as in no way reflection on DR.. Ross as
Il minister of the Gospel.
DR.. ROSS ORTHODOXY.
While the discussion WAS progressing
on these resolutions, Prof. Campbell
found the non-official letter of DR.. Ross to
him. declining to be an instrument in the
further prosecution Of the call, in which
he says:
81 do this reluctantly, because imputa-
lions have peen made on my orthodoxy.
Had your church been within the bounds
of my Assembly, should have felt it my
duty to accept the call but as it is, to go
in upon probation and fight it out, would
be tempting Providence"
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING.
Rev. W. T. Richardson objected to the
Of Dr.. Ewing. He thought, in
view of all the facts now in possession of
including the declension of
DR.. Ross, they were useless.
Prof. Campbell said he did not think it
Was the purpose of any one in the Licking
on church, OF at least of very few, to
press this call, but they wanted their right
o call the man of their choice definitely
iettl ed.
MI. Richardson thought the right had
'een settled long ago in the Presbyterian
church.
Pro f. Campbell replied that the right to
all was, it was true already settled; but the