Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-06-11
J. F. CAMPBELL.
Pres. Ev. Luth. Synod OF Va.
STAUNToN, VA, June 10th, 1880.
REV. j. F. CAMPBELL, d. D.,
Pres. Ev. Luth. Synod of Va.

STAUNToN, VA, June 10th, 1880.
REV. j. F. CAMPBELL, d. D.,
Pres. Ev. Luth. Synod of Va.
Dear Sir and Bro
I received from you
this morning communication Of which
the concluding words are as follows:
'sIn view of the erroneous and rebelliOuS
conduct Oh your part, as indicated by the
aforesaid communication, l, as Presi-
.'dent of the Ev. Luth. Synod Of Va, by
VIRTUE Of the authority vested in me, do
I'll, reby suspend you from the exercise OF
.'all the functions and performance OF all
s'the duties OF Minister OF the Gospel III
connection with The Ev. Luth. Synod Of
Eva, until the next convention Of said
"Syi.od i'll August, 1880, at which time the
Synod will take action in regard to your
conduct"
| respectfully submit that upon t,co
grounds only. could you have felt yourself
justified IN prOnOunclng against me a
punitive sentence Of suspension from the
functions of The ministry. First by virtue
IF the Bird section Of article 10 OF the Con-
stitution which authorizes the President
to suspend minister iii case he he charged
with drunkenness, leaDdness, circulating
fundamental errors IN d0ctrine or any crime
are Those of the Constitution ITSELF. Sure
ly no such charge is laid at my door.
| have not been accused OF any such
ssatrocious crlme'' as the Constitution
speaks of. And by afticle 10, section OF
the COnStitut lion, the miDlslerium itself
cannot suspend "a minister except by
.stsoo thirds vote,' and by the Constitution
and Laws of the church no minister can
be suspended in any case Except for "atro-
cious crime" and the like) except by judg-
ment of his trlers, when due presentment
and trial is had.
But second, You may claim such right
by delegation OF authority from the Synod
at it's recent session. liOntrOvertink wholly
the right of Synod to delegate to any one
man the power Of Furnishing by suspension
or otherwise. upon his own mere judy
ment, | still submit that in view of the
resolutions of the Synod referred to, your
action is without just authority. Those
resolutions are as follows:
II. That our brethren, Revs. Haskell
land Miller, are expected to observe the
..strictest professional courtesy towards
leach other, as laid down in the require
"ments OF the Constitution Of our Synod
'sand of our General Synod, each keeping
sshimself to his own legitimate sphere OF
s.labor and being particular to observe. in
.word and deed, Az attitude of Christian
and department towards
leach other" Il here Call your attention
to the fact that 1 have never since my ar
rival in Stanton been charged with in
reference or professional dlScourteSy to-
ward Mr.. Miller. nor has it been charged
or proved that have ever gone out Of nv
"own legitimate sphere Of labor.'.)
d. .s2, Thai, in case Of the nOn-observance
cot the foregoing resolution on the part OF
sseither or both these brethren, at any
"time between now and the next Conveli-
s.tlon of Synod, that che President be aud
.she is hereby clothed with authority to
proceed against either or both these
s.bretpren, as the Case may be, to the ex-
sstent of their suspension from the exer-
steise of the functions Of the Ministerial
.soffics NATL the next regular meeting of
this body.
!sceed. however, against either or both of
these brethren for any alleged non OBJ
..seryance of Synod7s Requirements, until
.ssaid non-observance shall have been duly
certified to him 10y all the present mem
Of the Council OF this church, who
sarf, hereby respectfully invited to act in |
with the letter and spirit of J
that which is herein PROVIDED.
Now the want OF authority in you is !
,alnahle. because, neither the action of |
nv CON- rexation III passing the resolution
70 withdraw from the Snyod Of Virginia,
,r INV own action, in respectfully asking
or my papers OF dis'nlssion from thai
who'd. can be construed, as acts Ut dis
,ourtt ~ to Rev. Mr.. Miller or as a failure
q nresarye ssan attitude Of christian for
,earance ard department towards" him.
AND again: Even this extrsns power Of
,unishint Mt, you are pro nibited from ex-
rcisino until the nun-, observance .of Syn
a j.. r.nn,rements .'shall have been duly
s = ft to YOU by all the present members
+ the cunncll Of this churcn.o You have
eceIy.d sucn certificate rom none Ut the
ouncil "A / believe; certainly from six OF
| rrspectfully submit therefore that your
ct was without authority, even if were
men BILE to your Jurisdiction.
Whether, therefore, the actlon OF the
- U,r nth GhOrnh IN tho