The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
November 90, 1877.


w. w. HENRY
w. A. CAMPBELL.
November 3d. 1871
A motion was then made TO institute process oy
placing the charges in the hands of DR. Baird, with
the names OF the witnesses to support them, 10
gether with other things required By the rules. AT
this stage the communication of DR.. Baird was
taken from the table and read as follows:
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 3d. 1877.
TO the Reuerend Moderator of the PreS6ytery Of
East HdnOUer::
Reverend and Dear Sir,-I desire hereby to in
form you. and through you che reverend Presby-
terry over which you preside, that [ have taken an
appeal from the judgment of the Synod of Vir-
einia in the judicial case from the Presbytery in
which was appellant, to the General Assembly OF
the Presbyterian Church. to meet at Knoxville,
Tenn, on the third Thursday of May next. My
notice of appeal and reasons therefor were for
warded to the Rev. William L. Richardson, Mode
rator of the Synod, on the 18th Instant, and were
received and acknowledged by him November 10Th
by whom [ am also informed that the Synod ap
pointed three persons to defend its action In case
this appeal should be taken. Though L have fully
complied with the requirement OF the constitution
by filing my notice ana reasons OF appeal with tnt
Moderator of the Synod [ deem it respectful Il
you formal notice of these facts
l am, very respectfully, w.: ;,
DR.. Witberspodn moved that IN view of this no
tice of appeal further proceedings be suspended.
DR.. Hoge offered the following substitute which
DR.. Witherspoon accepted:
ReSoloed, That while the Presbytery does no
feel 1t necessary to decide the question (aoou
which there is some difference of opinion. whether
an appeal can properly be taken to the General AS
semby from the action OF the Synod 10 the case
E. I. Baird, D. D., yet, under all the clrcum
stances, aud especially as the Presbytery might b
somewhat embarrassed by the significance OF TIT
fact that the Synod has appointed committee t
defend its action before the General Assembly, II
the event of an appeal to that body by DIR. Baird
and having received official information that suci
an appeal has been made, 1t is therefore deemed
wise and expedent to deter further proceeding
until after the matter is determined by the Assem-
bly, aforesaid.
The motion Of DR.. Witherspoon was renewed b!
DR.. Preston. A considerable discussion ensued oil
the part, chiefly, of Messrs. Preston, Brown, ReaC
and Witherspoon. 1t related to the question
whether in this case the appeal could be properly
taken. Some of those who contended that 1t coult
not, we're still, as a matter Of expediency, In tavo
of postponing further action until after the mex
General Assembly. The motion of DR.. Preston
was carried, which based the action OF the Presby
terry simply upon the fact that an appeal had beef
taken.
DR.. Brown, who maintained that this was not
case in which an appeal could properly lie, ant
considered it the duty of the Presbytery to go Of
with the process, presented protest with the rea
sons in full, against the resolution suspending &C
ton. DR.. Preston offered motion to appoint
committee to prepare al answer. After some con
versational remarks. DR.. Brown obtained leave t.
withdraw his protest. and instead entered his dis
| sent
As this is question of Interpretation of Church
law, the author of the protest intimated that
might perhaps, be better to discuss it elsewhere
the propriety of which is reserved for further con
sideration-E Cen. PRES
| Rev. Mr.. Petrie announced the death of CIR
Bishop member of his church, and the Treasur
er of the Presbytery. A minute, expressive OF tn
feelings of the Presbyery in this bereavement. wa
ordered to be prepared. Rev. W. A. Uampbe
was elected to fill the vacancy.
Adjourned to meet at Holmes church, North
ampton county, November 2Ssh, o'clock, Z. NJ
with view to the ordination and installation @
Rev. Mr.. Simpson.