Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-12-03
mhe Nfnhftatnr.
sTAUNTON, VA.
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Local.
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A GORDIAN KNOT:
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 3, 1915.

BYTERY--CON5IDERA OF THE GALL
BY THE Cd PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOR
REV Mr.. sIMPsoN--HE ACCEPTS THE
CALL, BUT PREsBYTERY PosTPoNEs
FOR FURTHER ACTION,
&C., &C., &c.
An adjourned meeting Of Lexington
Presbytery was held in Town Hall Stann-
ton. Tuesday night last, eleven members
present, Rev. DR.. Ewing presiding as Mod
orator and Rev. r. c. Walker, Stated
Clerk.
The object of the adjourned meeting was
to consider the pastoral relations of Rev.
McDuff Simpson with the Loeb Willow
church. as explained by Rey. Mr.. Walker
and detailed in the documents presented
to the meeting of Presbytery at Mcdowell
Highland.
Moderator-You have heard the Oh
ject of this adjourned meeting as ex-
planned.
REMARKS OF REV. MR.. SIMPSON.
Mi. Simpson said: Mr.. Moderator and
Brethren-As you see by the minutes of
Presbytery, just now read, I put this whole
matter in the bands of Presbytery, to be
decided by them at their last meeting at
Mcdowell; but they thought it best that
I should decide it myself. and therefore the
scalp was placed in my hand; and now
am before you barely to announce decis-
ion reached after prayerful consideration.
Since this subject has been brought Of
ficially under my notice, have felt, as
never did before, the vast weight of re-
sponsibility belonging o the position now
occupy. The peculiar relations of these
two churches, which make simultaneous
demand on my services, have stirred my
heart and mind to their lowest depths, and
have found it difficult to Struggle through
this feeling to final decision which would
be satisfactory to all parties Concerned.
On the one hand is the call of church
barely convalescing after the fever of
strife; and on the other hand is the cry of
a newborn society asking for nursing
care. and the deep pleadings of the former
and the earnest solicitations of the latter
have been Juggling together at my heart ;
and it has been a trying task to reach II
just decision. However, I have striven to
climb by the ladder Of prayer above the
bias of mere natural feeling, that mig Int
look down impartially and see clearly tie
path OF duty. L have also exercised my
reason and weighed carefully all the args,-
ments for and against the dissolution Of
my present pastoral relations; and in adj
| l,t;o n oil T hox. .,J
and taken the advice of wise and impartial
judges, and the result is that the last
shadow of doubt has left me, and l am
now in a position to say that duty does led
me to Staunton. I, theI efore, accept the
''call'' which Presbytery has been please
to put in my hands, believing that it *
presses not merely the unanimous wish of
my friends in this city, but the wish of the
Great "Friend that sticketh closer than a
brother'
God has been pleased to bless my short
pastorate at Loeb Willow in so far as he
has touched the hearts of the scattered
flock, and rallied them to gather around
me, so that 1 have been enabled to lead
them over the wild waste Of sad division
to the very borders of peace and harmony,
and cannot think that my sudden de-
parture shall cause them to wander back
to that desolate region again. The Israel
ties did not turn and stray over the burn
ing desert, when Moses babe them fare
| well and climbed up to the top of Nebo,
but in the track of another leader they
crossed the flowing river. and planted tfrir
feet in the beautiful Land of Promise.
And such, I trust, will be the conduct of
my Loeb Willow friends (fo1 friends 1
shall still regard them), who are now look
ing over on the green fields of prosperity.
Moderator-Is the Commissioner of
| Loeb Willow Church here?
NO COMMISSIONER FROM LoCH wIbLow.
Rev. Mr.. Walker-No notice has been
given Loeb Willow, save that given to
other churches. The Commissioner is lot
present, as he is in ill health and stat, d
that it was possible he might not be able
to attend this meeting. There IS an Elder
of Loeb Willow present.
Moderator-Is Loeb Willow present Inv
( Commissioner?
Mr.. Funkhouser-I am not authorized
to respond, but will say that no action Las
been taken by Loeb Willow since tile
meeting of Presbytery at Mcdowell, and I
can not express the views of the cong,e-
cation.
Mr.. Walker-Loch Willow has had suf-
ticient notice-not exactly according to
the book-and she ought to be represented
| here.
| Moderator-We ought to act according
| to the book. We have just had an over.
| hauling for irregular action.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CASE.
Rev. Mr.. Campbell-In all nv experi.
ence in the Presbyterv there has not been
subject which so impressed my mind.
from its Importance and solemnity. as the
subject we are now called upon to con-
slder, affecting not only the most import
ant interest of the churches, but also in
regard to our old church. This action will
| also have an important bearing on the fn-
tnre action of Presbytery, ard we should
be careful how we proceed. Besides there
are but few members present-not one
fifth of our Presbytery present, probably
not one-tenth part of the churches repre-
sented. feel that it is taking a RESPONSE
bility too great and important for so
meagre body as the present to decide.
and ought to be considered in full meet
ing and examined in all it's bearings.
What is the pastoral relation, if in a few
weeks it is to be dissolved ? The Pastor
reports his labors as abundantly success
full and he believes of great usefulness.
and now to dissolve the pastoral relation