The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-23
Lexington Presbytery.


Lexington Presbytery..
CALL OF THE REV. MCDUFF SIMPSON TO THE
I'd PREsBYTERINN CHURCH DISCUSSED
DECISION OF PREsBYTERY IN FAVOR OF
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES &C., &C.
An adjourned meeting Of Lexington Presby-
terry was held in the Town Hall (the place OF
worship of the congregation OF the Second
Presbyterian Church, on last Tuesday, Rev. D.
b. Ewing, Moderator.
After prayer by the Moderator. Rev. James
Murray was appointed temporary clerk, and
the following members were reported present :
Ministers, Revs. w. G.. Campbell, D. B. Ew-
ing, 1. w. K. Handy. J. r. Bowman, e. d.
Junkin, G. w. Stricken, II. Gilmore, T. w.
Rosebro, j. Murray. McDuff Simpson, F. Nc
Cutchen, w. Il. Richardson, and Saml Nc
Cune. Elders, j. E. Beard, Bethel, II. G.
Guthrie, Thinking Springs, c. Grattan. lst
Presbyterian Church, S:auntcn, J. Sellers,
Loeb Willow, G. G. Grattan. Harrisonburg
Before the regular business of the meeting
was taken up, Rev. Chas. S. Hoguc, of Ken
lucky. presented his dismission from the Pres
byteran Church of Louisville. KY, to connect
himself with Lexington Presbytery, and after
a brief examination by the Rev. J. r. Bow
man, which proved quite satisfactory, was re-
ceived as a member Of Lexington Prcsbytery
and his name ordered to be enrolled.
The Moderator having announced the object
of the meeting, desired to hear from Loeb
Willow congregation, through its Commission
er. as to why the pastoral relations between
the Rev. McDuff Simpson and Loeb Willow
Cburch should not te dissolved.
Mr.. Quitlor, the Commissioners, presented q
series of resolutions from his gregation, in
which they unanimously withheld their consent
to the acceptance of the call by Mr.. Simpson.
and asked that Presbytery continue that gen
tleman in his present charge. After reading
the resolutions, Mr.. Quidor made feeling
appeal for the return of their pastor, in which
he paid high tribute to the eminent qualifi-
cations and pety of Mr.. Simpson, and spoke
of the great good accomplished by him i'll mis-
present field of labor. He had found thu coll
gregation of Loeb Willow Church torn and
bleeding and by his untiring energy and wor-
thy example had healed all of their differences,
and placed them once more in q position to
work great good in their masters vineyard,
and he thought it the duty Of Presbytery to
return Mr.. Simpson to his present charge AMI
not leave the work half completed.
After a somewhat lengthy and animated dis
cussion, participated in by good many mem
bers, Maj. Jed. Hotchkiss, comm ssioner for
the Second Presbyterian Church, presented
the resolutions adopted by the congregation on
last Sabbath, in which they insist upon tie
acceptance of the call by MI. Simpson, giving
as the principal reason, the larger field OF use
fulness offered by the Staurton Church. Maj.
Hotchkiss made some excellent remarks stts-
tanning the resolutions, after which the ques-
ton ''shall the PASTORAL relations between the
Rev. McDuff Simpson and Loeb Willow church
be dssolved?' was moved anG seconded, and
the vote resulted as follows: AYES, l3; Noes, 3.
Mr.. McCune asked to be excused from voting,
and his request was granted
Seven O'Clock in the evening was then APP
pointed rs the lour for the installation OF Rev.
McDutf Simpson as pastor OF the Second Pres
byterian Church of Staunton, and She following
committee of Installation appointed Rev. y.
B. Ewing to preside, preach and propose the
constitutional questions, Rev. W. G. Camphal
to charge the people. Rev. w. I. Richardson
to charge the pastor.
Rev. w. Il. Richardson was appointed to-
preach to Loeb Willow congregation at his
earliest convenience and declare the pulpit va
| cant.
! Presbytcry then adjourned with prayer by
! the Rev. Mr. Jdnkin.
Presbytery met at Z o'clock Pm. Serves
were opened with prayer by the presiding Of
ticer. Rev. DR.. y. b. Ewing, followed by sing
ing the hymn. commencing 60 preach NY
gospel. saith the Lord DR.. Ewing the.! read
the Sd chapter of Peter, after which another
prayer was offered by the Moderator "l-et
lions watchmen all awake was sung. DIR.
Ewing then preached an impressive, practical
sermon from Il clause OF the 18th verse of the
3rd chapter of Peter, Grow in grace en-
Join in the cultivation of the Christian graces
of humility, self-denial and high consclen-
| entiousness. At the conclusion OF the sermon.
he stated, that all the forms of the Constitution
having been observed, he would proceed to
read the ordination questions to the preacher
and congregation. Having finished these, Rev.
w. r. Richardson, in obedience to the deslg-
nation by Presbytery, delivered the charge to
the preacher, which was model of clear con-
ception and sound religious sentiment. MIR.
Richardson is good thinker, and always says
what he has to say in direct and forcible
manner.
The charg eto the congregation was deliver
ed by Rev. W. G. Campbell, in which he sug-
gested some admirable thoughts TO govern
them in their new and important relations to
the cause of religion-especaly, and with Pc
cuiar emphasis, enjoining them not TO De
guilty of ''proselyting,' for it was mean
thing.'' He tho tght there was wide held'
outside of the various congregations OF starh-
ton, for great Christian work: and hoped 10
see the new church grow in membership, until
it should become pride to its founders and
glory to the general Christian church.
Rev. Mr.. Richardson offered prayer, and
Rev. McDuff Simpson, the pastor elect, closed
the seryices with a few remarks, and the bene-
diction.
After services, the congregation extended the
.l. heal - ol,r;ct;an faIowSlIiD to the pastor.