Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-04

ACTION OF THE WESTERN PRESBYTERI
GuIECu CONGREG AIINN

PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH CONGREGATION.
Yesterday. in anticipation of some action
being taken at the Western PRESBYTERIAN
church in reference TO the death OF their late
pastor there was large attendance of mem
ber> OF the congregation and friends of the de-
ceased. Rev. Mr.. French occupied the pulpit.
ana AT the close of the sermon requested the
congregation to remain.
A congregation meeting was then organized
by the election of Justice Drake as chairman
and Colonel Amos Webster secretary.
Judge Drake. on taking the chair. said the
object of the meeting was 10 give some public
expression of the feeling of the congregation
in regard TO the sad occurrence that took
place IN the death OF their pastor, Rev. j. y.
COOmhS, on Sunday last.
DIR. Swcatman submitted the following
IMPRESSION OF FEELINGS AND VIEWS:
The members Of the Western Presbyterian
church ana congregation of Washington. ID.
q. assembled with reference to the inexpres-
Sihly affective dispensatiOn of Providence
with which they, in common with many
others. have been visited in the death by his
own hands Of their late beloved pastor. Rev
John y. COOmhs. would give public express
sion tO the grief which Overwhelms them in
view of that great calamity.
Recognizing their obligation in makin"
>uCn an expression to speak only the truth,
they deem n a duty, as well as a privilege,
mus publicly 10 utter their unmOved cOnvic-
llOn OF the moral integrity and pure Christian
character of the deceased. Through gospel
ministry OF twenty-five years. more than half
OF which was in this church. his life was not
christian profession. but was Singularly free
from any appearance of untruthfulness, dis
SlniUidtlon or inSincerty: and this church
had 40 knowledge that any act was ever I'M
puted TO him which could cast shadow on
his name. until they heard of that which inn
me'iateiy preceded. and doubtless lei TO, his
death.
On the contrary. the members OF this church
and congregation rejOiced in believing tina he
eNemplitied not only in the pulpit. but in his
daily life. the spirit of the Gospel he so earn
nFgIgnp1- and fs4if i'm n S ,iaf
ana personal uprightness was never for q
moment disturbed. And they now desire
under fun sense of their responsibility to
pubic opinion. tO the church and cause of
Christ. and 10 God. TO declare that that faith
has not been shaken by the awful circum-
stances OF his death, nor by those which pre-
coded that appalling event. Believing that
The act OF the day before. a. well as previous
similar acts-fTSt heard of by them since his
dcaih-proceeded from absorption Of mono
mania. well known in medical jurisprudence
ami recognized BY the great mass of intclIi-
gent people: and believing. further. that the
Seli-de>truct1On was committed. as the cOrO-
neI jury found. in parOXysm of insanity,
thcN recOfu their deliberate and conscientious
conviction that the unblemished history OF
his whole preceding life should receive no
blot, nor should the cause of Christianity
suffer raproach from acts done in n state OF
mind IN which he could not. in any fair judg-
nlent OF intelligent men. he considered NOR
ally reSpOn> Bile. and from the committing Of
which they believe that his whole nature in
normal condition. would have recoiIed with
lOathing and horror.
Judge Drake asked if any person was deSir-
Gus OF making remarks in the way of com
meni- and there being no response. a rising
vote was taken and the paper was adopted
unanimously.
The chairman. Judge Drake. made brief
address in which he urged the membership
10 remain true To faith and work for the
cEufch, atteT which the meeting adjourned.
O
slit FoR DANAGFS-The Tunnel 1cCs.Iedt
~ NctF",O6r. To-day. in the Circuit Court
Judge Cartier, the case OF Thomas Jones agt
the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad was
Called-the McSSTS. Darlington for plaintiff
and MPS~T~ Stanton aud Ucrthipf,tnr -