The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-22
REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS.

VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH DENOUNCED by
THE GENERAL SYNOD MR. CLARKE's sUsPLN-
SION FOR IMMORAL CONDUCT.
Tho half hour Of religious exercises preceding the
opening Of the mornlng's session OF tho General
SYNOD OF Reformed Presbyterians devoted to
discussion of the subject Of domestic Missions ana
Church Extension" The Committee Presbyteral
Reports reported that tho condition oil the various
prosbyteries Is, on the whole, encouraging resolu-
tion also adopted that the interest the susen
tation fund BIO appropriated this year TO the Of
the Board OF Domestic Missions. Tho treasurer of
the educational fund reported balance OF s2ll So
The Board OF Finance reported that the travelling
pcnses Of delegates the Synod 1906 in excess
OF the amount set apart for that purpose.
DESIGNATING
Upon resuming business in tho afternoon the fol-
lowing resolution, which had been presented by the
Rev. n Woodside on Monday and made the special
order OF the day Tor yesterday afternoon, read
and adopted
Whereas Sabbath Dissertation Is rapidly increasing
OF population aud the
the following orms-namey. Sabbath excursions by land
employment Of railroad hands in worHsnops entsrsinas
nn Sn cur ps tor
reading secular papers and works ncticn
attending the house of God and thus doing dshonoro God
Resolved That this Synod condemns all such Of
Sabbath Dissertation and al other forms whether sprngng
and further. s'''
Resolved That foreigners be taught that this ma
sabbath bthght proane practses that
DAY 50 prevalent In Continental Europe.
SUSPENDED YoR IMMORTALITY.
Tho Committee on Discipline presented report
sustaining the action Of the Northern Presbytcry
suspending tho Rev. W. J. Clarke. OF Lisbon, 81
Lawr county, N. ", for immoral conduct Early
In March last il seems Mr. Clarke was Tried nj the
Spring Term OF the Canton (St. Lawrence county,
Court OF assault and battery on the daughter OF an
old gentleman living IN the town OF Lisbon. Upon hts
nv cnn hA UNI wi fnH nnhH pnL
1t was believed that the attack had been made with
immoral intent, and on that charge the minister
Presbyterian Church. In Fackville, Y. All the
members OF the Prcsbytery not present, and It
which great deal OF testimony had been taken
both sides, to suspend Mr.. Clarke until full meeting
a meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday Of last
week, and tho result was that tho minutes OF the
Flackvllc meeting wore SO altered as TO cxteud Mr..
Clarke's suspension for one year,
The charge referred to above was not tho only
against tho minister quite number OF others having
been preferred and supported by one or moro wit
nesses But Mr. Clarke objected 10 the action
OF the Prosbytery on technical grounds,
prcierring comp plant to the Synod that
The action OF his judges was unpresbyteriai
and oppressive. Tho Committee on Discipline
tho Presby,ery, recommending "Brolhor Clarke TO
submit 10 thts cnastisoment which, Tor tho present,
blessing may work out for his spiritual good There
vas long discussion 40 10 whether Mr.. Clarke
should be allowed to speak again In his own defence.
Mr.. WoodsIde thought that his mouth should not DO
stopped. Mr. Thomson said no would himself be I'M
willing that his mouth should DO stopped II open
would be to bring . mass Of nlthv matter
before tho Synod which be though should be avoided
Mr.. woodside made speech IN which no conteuded
that Mr.. Clarke had not been proved guilty OF tho
more serious crime with which he charged aud
that the synod should, therefore, show mercy In his
case. "Ho 10, 'said Mr.. Woodsidc, IA sou Of prayer
aud OF great mental power aud superior educa-
tion having been taught Greek from his infancy ina
having pecn able TO lisp The LORDS Prayer In Greek
when mere child II VIC stop him from preach
Ing the everlasting gospel hc may SINK
dow down and r. never rise again" Mr. Wood.
iathers Affection for his son, and the many prayers
which had offered up for him both IN public anu
OF argument as special pleading and said that Mr.
Ciarkc's own brother had told him ne should never
nave been candidate for the ministry
ARRAiGNING THE PREsBYrERY
Mr. ClarRo WAS finally allowed to speak, and nd.
dressed the Synod twice, the first tiino saying no
would only repeat his complaint against decision
OF tie Presbytery. Aftcrward, when another oppor-
tunity afforded TO defend himself he said that he
confident tho Prcsbytcry had determined to crnsn
and ruin him, having decided hts case accordance
with Their prcudices rather than the strength evi
dcnce. "a deep plot, he said, "had been u up in
hirelings into place where | should not have gone
and whom found where was made my escape md
did not return. But tor the efforts OF ono friend
thor hosh Vaccinations would have succeeded,
ana instead OF being suspended l would
have boon communicated. , Sir. Thomson
said no Ind been Que OF Mr. CIarkcs most
earnest defenders, iii by his own confession he
had learned that bad been deceived In him After
very protractcd discussion the Synod accepted tho
report oi tho Committee Discipline, susta nng tho
action OF tho Prcsbytory in suspendng Mr. Clarke for
one year
Alter listening to an address from Rev. b. c.
ILppncott corresponding delegate from the Reformed
tDutch) Church, tho Synod adjourned until ten
O'Clock this morning. 10 tue evening au entertain
mont was given TO the delegates anu their friends by
the ladies Of the In tho church and lee
turc room To-day tho synod Will conclude It's
IaDors