Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-11-15

explanation, and also without bringing the
matter before the session for investigation.
| Afterwards in n meeting of the session at
his own house lie said he had never doubted
the correctness Of the account and said there
was no reason why the brother should not
resume hiB duties ~ heretofore. When
as heretofore. When asked il he was will
ling to make this declaration to the church
he said, lie wanted 10 think about il;
that lie did not wish TO criminate himself"
Said specification sustained in part and
consequently the charge thus in part sus-
tanned, and that therefore the said Rev G..
A. Adams Is guilty of these specifications
to the extent charged IN the items so sus-
tnined, and stands acquitted Of those not
sustained,
Pronouncing Judgment OF censure against
him for these reasons, Presbytery is inclined
to the opionion that what thus seems from
the eviderce and upon its face to have been
prevarication, was nevertheless, more the
result, in the one case, of forgetfulness,
or inconslderale haste in expression than
in deliberate intention to deceive, and in
the other, the question Of assent TO Mr.
PolIocks preaching in Perrysburg not 50
much positive effort to mislead Mr.. Pol
locks convictions as il was lack OF that
open and transparent frankness, which we
think should always characterize the COM
munications of Christians, and especially
ministers. Still, Presbytery is constrained
to express its regret that, under the circum-
stances, the request should ever have been
made.
Presbyterv Rlao must, in view of the
aforesaid friendship award Judgment Of
censure and admontion against the accused
for unchristian and ministerial treatment
OF members OF the session and church, yet
regarding il more an error OF the head than
of the heart-the result Of temperament
rather than deliberately wrong purpose.
In exonerating him from vindictiveness
we must express our convictions that lac
has pursued these brethren with unneces
snry rigor.
In our ncquital Of guilt under the Sec
und Specification, we must express our dis
appreciation of the principal upon which
the parties were permitted to sign the con-
tract Surprising it to give them rights,
which il did not convey. We hold it
grave error for Christian, to knowingly
suffer party to n contract to deceive him
sef to his damnge-that il has at least
"the appearance of evil"
We further express our conviction from
the evidence, that Mr.. Adams was aud is
sincere and hunest in his views relative to
the conluct of Mr.. Ross, but think he
should, at what evei hazard OF pecmnary
losa, imaginary or real, have taken the
steps for his reclamation prescribed in
Chapter ., Section 3, Book Of Discipline.
or ut least inaugurated judicial proceed
ings against him before the session
We are also equally satisfied that Mr..
Ross was aud is alike sincere and honest
1 IL
ing the vote iu controversy; and in his
acknowledgement and explanation Of what
he terms his blunder in relation thereto,
but think that, other means failing, he
should have insisted on judicial investi-
gatiou before Session; and had this been
denied, or proven unsatisfactory, he could
have had his remedy by appeal or com
plaint-Chapter Z, Sections and 1, Book
of Discipline.
While the prosecutors have, in the iudg-
ment Of Presbytery, sufficiently proved
| their charge TO avoid censure ~ Slanderers
of the ministry herein, aud while we be-
ieye that they have acted in good faith we
nevertheless are of the opinion that it
would have been wiser for them to have
commenced it at nn earlier day, if by fail
ure to obtain redress elsewhere they were
driven to this proceeding at all, and lhat
they should after the session had usscnted
to the institution of judicial proceedings,
have carried forward the case before that
tribunal until in some wny finally dispos-
ed of.
| Although few things have been said
and done during the trial, by the parties
/ in the ca,ISe, which we would faim should
| have been omitted, vet we cheerfully bear
testimony to the general and almost uni
versal exhibition of Christian temper and
| spirit by them all, during he progress of
! this painful and prutractel trial.
As realizing in some measure the pain
| fulncss OF the duty imposed upon the
! Presbytery in even partially sustaining II
! charge against beloved brnther, we take
| pleasure in referring to document which
has been informally laid he(ure us, in
which some members of Brother Adams
congregation express their sense of his
! worth and ability, as fUlluws:
10 the members Of tie Muuncc P'eslWry il,
'ession at PcI7ysburg, o., Nor. 6, 1873:
! "GENTLEMEN We, the undersigned,
members OF the congregation of Rev. G. 4.
! Adams, many of MS having sat under his
teachings fur over twenty years past, beg
OF you the privilege OF tcstfying in this
/ the best way known to us, our appreciation
Of our beloved pastor, of his honesty and
! integrity OF purpose, his untfing efforts in
| the interests Of his church, the purity Of
| his teachings and his rare ability and ex-
ccllence of character"
Stephen Merry, and 90 others.
The course of this trial has made 1t plain
| to Presbvterv that much of the unhappy
dissensiun which has so long prevailed in
| this church has grown out OF the neglect
or unwilingness to administer promptly
and faithfully the provisions of our Book OF
| Discipline, and we would therefore enioin
upon all, and especially upon the offers
of the church, in future to adhere to its
wise and salutary directions.
And we entreHt, far more Than eniuin,
upon all the parties directly or indirectly
interested in This unhappy controversy, by
any regard they may have for Preshvterv,
ond especially by their incomparably high
er regard for the cause OF their and our
Redeemer (unlcss in a regular way they
| appeal to Synod that they let this adiu-
dicntion be n finaIity; that they cease to
| speak of it as far rs possible; think of it
only to fervently pray that God will heal
the wounds alrendy made; avoid any in-
ture evil, and overrule all these trials for
His glory and their good.
And we, finally, in the language Of the
apostle, beseech you, "Be perfect be Of
good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace, and the God OF love and peace shall
be with you"
Prepare to Spoll.-Lesrning that there