Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-10-13
The Ministerial Sensation In II e.
tAraseyurg.

: The change of church relations by the
Rev. Dr. Morrell in Petersburg was an
announced in the last .VINDICAToR. The
following are the fuller particulars as CIV
en- by the 'Index-Appeal, " which will be
read with special interest by our Baptist
and Presbyterian friends:
After the singing of the hymn, Rev. Mr..
Eaton came forward and said l.: We have
with us Rev. DR.. Mocrell. of New York,
who has been in this city for some weeks
and who needs no Introduction at my
hands. Mr. Eaton then stated that DR..
Morrell would make some remarks, from
which the object for which the meeting
was called could be inferred.
REV. DIR. MoRRELL's REMARKS.
Rev. DR.. Morrell, who occupied seat in
the rear Of the pulpit, on being introduced,
came forward and said substantially that
though the meeting was a somewhat novel
one, he hoped it would prove none the less
interesting. Perhaps he could do no bet
ter than to say that it was his purpose, IT
the congregation shall be SO pleased, to
connect himself with tie Baptist church.
At the age of fourteen or fifteen years he
experienced a change of heart, by repen-
lance, in the Lord Jesus, at a meeting in
the Baptist church held in his town. 1t
was his aim then to unite himself with the
Baptist church, but his parents belonging
to another denomination Kindred him from
carrying out his purposes. Although he
then failed to connect himself with the
/ Baptist church, he had always a desire to
do so. AS you are aware, he continued, L
am minister of the Congregational church
althG ugh | have always believed III Baptism
by Immersion. Having become minister
cfo a,, Of
and difficult to commence anew, but nave
always believed in immersion, although l
have up to the present time followed the
doctrine of church that did not practice
that faith. For the past year l have felt
have not been fulfilling my conscientious
duty, and [ now ask you il it meets with
your appreciation, to admit me into the
| fellowship of your church. When Dr..
| WitherSpoon, pastor of the Iabb street
Presbyterian church. left the city, he re-
| quested me to perform his pastoral duties
for him during his absence, which prom
| iSed to do, but my agreement expired on
last Sunday Last week [ called on, and
had q conversation with your pastor, TO
ask that I might be admitted into the Bap-
fist church. The grounds of the Congre-
| gational and Baptist churches, said the
speaker, are essentially the same. The
doctrine is the same with the exception OF
the baptism, and the Lords supper follow
| ing as a Sc quel.
Dr. Morrell in conclusion, said that
should the church see fit to admit him TO
its membership he as q laborer for God,
would leave nothing undone towards its
advancement. His relations with his Pres
byterian friends during his six weeks stay
in the city, have been of the most frater-
nal character, and he regarded them as the
Warmest of friends. In making this change
he could say with a true heart, that he felt
it 70 be his conscientious duty to do So
Tue change is simply made because he
feels that God calls him to make it, and
that he can, in the noon OF his life, advo-
| cate the cause of our Lord Jesus to a great
er advantage. He felt that no one could
question his object in resigning his past
Office. Perhaps with these statements he
need not detain the congregation Longer
and would leave the matter with thei1
pleasure.
MR. EATON'S REMARKS.
| AT the conclusion of Dr. MorTel's re-
marks Nh. Eaton stated that he had had a
| very pleasant interview with his friend
| DR.. Morrell, who had told him that it was
difficult for him to leave the other church
! but after more mature consideration he
| had decided to connect himself with the
| Baptist church. l told him that, having
faith in our doctrine, he should be with us.
No one, said MI. Eaton, can imagine the
one thousand reasons experienced in Ma
king such a change as our brother is about
to make. [ feel myself that we should
thank God, that he should have given lis
such q laborer.
DE. MORRELL'S RECEPTION INTO THE
CHURCH.
After the brief remarks Of Mr.. Eaton,
the question as to DR.. Morrell's reception
into the church was voted upon, and after
some discussion by a few members, he was
unanimously received into the church, and
will be baptized by Rev. T, L. Eaton, at
the First Baptist church, this Sunday
afternoon, at O'Clock, when he will be
admitted to full membership Of the Bap-
| fist church.
In this connection we will state that Dr..
Morrell gave notice that in consequence
Of the absence Of Rev. T. D. Witherspoon,
and in accordance with his promise to
perform his church duties while out CT the
| city, he would preach at the Tabb street
Presbyterian church this Sunday morn
ing at the usual hour. The exercises of
this important meeting-one of the most
interesting that has taken place in Peters
burg for many years, closed with a most
fervent prayer and benediction by DR..
Morrell, after which the congregation dis
persed well pleased and satisfied, but no
little surprised.