Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-12
Presbytery of Chesapeake.


fer the church, was continued yesterday.
The members Of the Presbytery who we're
present were Rev. Henry Brauch aud Elder
j. b. Shields, clerks, and Rcvs. William Din.
widdir, of Alexandra; j. A. Scott, Warren
too, Va; j. +. Cannon, Leesburg, Va; A. W.
Pilz.r. Washington; l.. B. TurnbulI, Loudouu
County. Va, and Elders Charles =. Jauney,
q. D. Gray, George Wise, Oscar Bradeu, D.
| Cronshorn, W. l.. Holiday, j. Potterfeld,
and j. D. TuliS. These members were enter
| tanned by the congregation.
The Post says: The Committee on Nara.
| ton offered an encouraging report 90 the epir
! itual condition OF the church 10 the preshytery.
| The report of tho Committee on the Minutes
of Synod was amended by DR.. Pitzsr as fol-
lows and adopted:
| That the Presbytsry recommends tho follow.
pg points 10 the training OF ministers To-
cressing the length of The sessions at the semi
nary to not less than nine. and -a.haf months.
| 10 arrange the studies 60 that students can
| complete the course IN twenty tour months.
| That it is the supreme right of the Presbytery
| to order this whole question according to their
owo Judgment, sobjcct only to the Word OF God
and the constitution of the Church.
| The Committee on EvaDgelisIic Work recon-
mended the following appointments to vacant
churches during the coming year Rappahan.
mock, Ravs VIM, Srider and Scott; Green
wich, Revs. Pizer aud Bullock; Mddleburg,
| Revs. Dinwidde, Branch and Cannon.
The Committee on the Revised Book Of
Church Order offered their report. lo regard
| to choosing ministers BY the congregation three
rules were presented First, the Broad Church
rule, which allows the franchise not only to the
commandments, but TO those who regularly attend
and contribute to the church. Second, the
mixed rule, which does not give a direct vote
to the non-commuDicant members. but they
arc allowed to take separate vote, which will
be considered. The third rule, which limits
absolutely the franchise to the commandments
Of the church. The Rev. Mr.. Branch thought
that the non COMMUNICATE members CT a
church were better judges of what was
Gospel preaching than the members themselves,
who COPS - - style aud delivery Vi Il
| minister more than the sui Get matter OF the
sermon. But lew church members compared
on going home what they heard with what the
minister said. The Bereans are few in these
DAYS. Besides the voice of a congregation, when
thcy recommended to the Presbyter7 candl-
date for the ministry. was not always needed by
| the Presbytery. Hence 1t was not spiritual
! functioU. The non, ommunicsnts had voice
in such matter 10 all the prominent churches
| North, which are regarded as the very head
centre of Prcsbyterlansm.
| A. vote was taken and the rule limiting the
| franchise to church members was adopted
| The presbytery accepted the rule which defines
IAN offence" as that which is CONTRARY to the
word of God 10 church member or that
which, not of itself sinful. may tempt others
to sio.' Ia regard to the rulc which provided
| that when COMMUNICATE member shall
'coniass before the church session 40 uoregeuc-
rate heart, and after mature Inquiry it Is found
that this cooft s3ion does not result from Satanic
Influence or transient darkness Of spirit, his
name may be transferred to the con communl.
cant roll. This called forth quite an anil
mated discussion. Df. PiIz,r thought that this
was needed change in the discipline of the
Presbyterian Church. There bad never been
a provision for mistakes ADD he believed 10
having back door to the church well guarded.
o hers said that when persons catered into
such solemn obligations and covenants that the
church bad 20 right to free them. Ii Was re-
jecled by vote Of 8 to 3.
Mr.. G. D. Gray offered bis resignation as
alternate elder 10 the general assembly. 1t
was accepted aud Mr.. j. '. a. Shields was
elected 10 his stead. Mr.. Shields was also
chosen permanent treasurer OF the presbytery.
The Rev. Mr.. Dnwiddie moved that this pres.
bylcry concur 10 the AssembIy's educational
scheme and that the churches are hereby
directed to send their contributions to this OBJ
i"ct to the Asscmbiy's COMMITTEE on Educa
ton. This resolution was adopted. d.. Pit.
z.r, from the Committed on Statistics, offered
his report This report shows that there are
| in the prcsbYtery Is ministers ADD 50 elders;
SO communicates added on examination durug
the past year. whole humber OF members,
| LOIS; children 10 Sabbath school, 1872; foreign
missions, 1892; tustentation fuud, $50. The
| presbytcry then resumed consideration OF the
| Book of Church Order, submitted TO the pres
| byte,ics for their approval by the General AS
sembly Of 1876. The rule which provides
that when minister becomes satisfied that
| God has not called him to the ministry or II
| he has evidence of his liability to serve accept
ably the cDuroh, the presbytery may dlVest
him of bis Office without ce0sure, Wss approved
without debate A long discussion arose on
The rule which states that when minister
shall habitually fail to discharge his official
funclions, on figuring, if the presbytcry ascer.
taios that this neglect proceeds from want OF
acceptance to the church, it may divest him Of
| his Office without ceosure, even against bls will.
| This rule is intended to furnish remedy for
the evil, which is felt widely 10 the church,
10 the large ADD growing numbers ct uuomploy-
| ed ministers.
A MUNICIPAL FIGHT.-Elst ST. Louis was
yesterday the scene OF another OF those dis
graceful proceedings between political factions
which have been INDUCED 10 for some days
past. For several years there has been great
strife and contention between Mayor Bowman
and bis Political friends, aud an almost equally
strong party opposed to him regarding the ad.
| mnistration Of city affairs, and at each cleo
ton there has been desperate struggle for
the mastery, sometime resulting 10 fragrant
breaches of the peace and proceedings OF
| riotous character.
Some days ago az election Was held for four
aldermen, and there was more than tho usuaI
effort by both parties to secure majority in
the Council. Mayor Bowman claimed to have
been successful, but tho seats Of two OF bis
friends we're contested and although they oh.
| tanned certificates of election. the old members