Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-06-22

Rev DR.. Murklaud said that Mr. Brooke
had produced paper from his pocket 10 the
committee and said that it was too long to
read. lie supposed that was the majority re-
| port.
Mr.. Brooke said Mr.. Mulk|apd was entirely
mistaken; no such report had been prepared.
| Some OF the members were agreed, he admit
| tcl Cu what should be done.
A collcquy ensucd between MeSsrs. Brooke
and Aiurkland as to what had occurred 10 the
committee.
Rev. DIR. Hammer thought that valuable
lure was being unnecessarily consumed. He
wanted action taken calmly and cody and the
matter settled.
Rev. DR.. i4.leyre thought the committee
could have reported either the evidence alone
Oh, accompanied by recommendations. lie op.
posed the substitute, and wanted the testimony
read.
Rev. Mr. Cannon said the committee merely
wanted to know what to do.
Mr. Gray favored the substitute, which he
cnGtended answered the question asked by the
committee.
Rev. Mr. Pilz,r spoke ia favor G; bis subsi-
tnlc, which was adopted -, noes !.
The PrcsbYtcry then, after prayer By Rev.
Mr. Dinwiddic, adjourned until this morning
| Ill ~ y ClOck.
Presbytcry met this morning at 10 clock,
pursuant to Adjournment, and WAS opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Scott, OF War.cnton, alter
which the minutes OF last night were read and
approved, Shen,
On motion Of Mr. pI!zor, Mcssrs Scott and
Shields were app0iced assistant clerks.
Leave, On notion Of Mr.. pitz.r, was granted
any members who may So d:src to unite with
inn 10 the protest presented sst Dight.
The committee 1t Investigation not being
ready TO report, or motion Of DR.. Hammer
some time was spent in devotional exercises;
after which. the committee having appeared,
Rev. Mr. Cannon, chairman, presented 4 re
port, which, having been prepared by Mr..
| Brooke was by that gentleman read.
This report oil the majority cx0Deraes Rev.
Mr.. Din"lldic from all the charges affecting
his personal character or conduct while it
admits one or two official Irregularities as to
minor matters 10 connection with bis pastoral
relations, SUCH Us irregular meetings Of session,
elections without nominations, Nc, &c., they
DO not conc1dG him ccnsurabIc therefor The
report further states that Mr. Dinwildie'S re-
,atioGs 10 his congregation, outside OF the par.
tics 10 the controversy, arc most harmonious
and pleasant, aad that Mr. Ramsay, ou ac-
c0unt Of irEitablllty OF temper is to some eX-
tent liable to ccuSure IN net having met 10 q
proper spirit 0ycrtuTes made Tor c5uclliaiion By
SIR. Dnwldlie. The committee state while
iumors Of q nature circulated TO affect the
character OF Mr.. l.. i. Wilmer arc in cl!cuIa
ton, yet no evidence to warrant action on their
paTt Was aIduced. the report concludes with
i recommendation to Preshytery that for rca.
sous not implying any dClcc; in their Christian
l.i. ,Ioy
shall res - the respective offices that they now
ioll as ruling elders in the Second church.
The report vas received after some remarks
IS to whether i: was 4 minority or me- ority
report, The latter seUs2 being iiaally accepted.
Mr.. Laal!:; then, on behalf Of himself and DR..
MurkanA, submitted minority report.
/ i3 report, Id many respects, fails to concur
wit! tnlt al the Ina j1rlly ~ lis conclusions 1t
does not lu!y exOncrate Mr.. Dinwiddie, but
declines 10 make ;lay recommendations in rel
creme. 10 lis case, leaving Prrsbytery to Judge
from th2 evidence, whether anything il ncce5.
sary to be ijnc 1t holds Mr. Ramsay guilt
less and no. iiba 10 c@DSure, but on account OF
lis relations with Mr. DlnwIdin recommends
that he aud llr. Wilmer should be requested
/ by prcsby!efy TO res On their official relations
with the Second church.
This report WAS also received.
DR.. MuIkiand thought that tho only true
course to be pursued was to let the Prrsbylery
hear the evidence and then act.
MIR. Berry moved that the testimony be read,
which, after some discussion, WIS adopted.
On motion 0! Dr.. L2lcvrc, recess OF ten
minutes Wa thea taken, the vote standing S
tot.
Mr.. Gray moved that TIE reading o! the tcs
t!moHy be III SGrrG: SGS>lJ1.
Dr. ,ni.,vrr vas FAR ill.,, fullest n,,hlI.
city 10 The whole matter, and thus carry out
the true spirit OF Frcsb 2icrlns. lfhar,l things
were said they must be borne with.
! Dr. Hammer was in favor OF 4 secret session.
Mr.. McNurran favored an open session.
The nation 10 80 into secret session to have
read the testimony was carrlcd-aycs 5, noes /.
(l,icntcal with the Electoral Commission, but
1t il hoped Hol ~ Gmnoua.)
l;curc gDiGG into secret session,
| Mr.. McMurra1 rose to Il personal explanation,
and said that himself and others, members OF
the prcsbytcry. had been charged with having
had something TO do with originating this diff
Guilty, which charge he positively denied. Lie
had never been consulted o. advised as to the
mater. lad he been called upon for advice
he thought nc could have settled the difficulties
amicaby and saved all this trouble. lie had
never said ought agalnst any member of the
| ircsbytcry, acd were the charge repeated
he would hold auy one making such an asser-
ton as 4 sandcrcr and treat him accordingly.
| Mr.. Pitzer asked il it was the wish OF the
Pr:s5yt2ry 10 comply with the request of the
Gazcttcs reporter for permission 10 copy or
make extracts from the reports OF the invcstl-
eating committee.
DIR. Berry mo7cd that the papers be given to
the reporter.
Dr.. Lclcvrc, Hammer, MIurkIanl and Bull.
lock objected.
DR.. Murkanl hoped that as the evidence
was part OF the report that until deGnto con-
c!uslon was reached neither would be published.
Or. Berry Withdrew his motion, and the
Prtsbytery Ih. n, at II clock, went into secret
session t. have !gad the testimony taken by the
| investigating committee.
The reading of the testimony vas proceeded
with ill near o'cIock, when the Prcsbytery
took !. recess Till ) p. N. No; Que tenth OF the
egiieDc; was read up to The time OF the recess
|: vas thought it would take about four