The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-09

that a pamphlet entitled " Discussion on
Assembly Deliverances, had been laid
on the table of the secretary and dis
tributed among the members of the AS
sembly during the preceding days de-
bate, on the matter of the Church de-
llverances, and he thought such conduct
should be denounced by the Assembly.
lie offered resolution, setting forth the
grievance and condemning the action of
the persons trying in this way to color
the Judgment of the Assembly The
Rev. Messrs. w w. Scott, Miner, and
Neel pressed the passage of the resolu-
ton. DR.. Girardeau thought it should
be made general and not specific in it's
character. He moved the reference of
the whole matter to a special committee.
The Moderator accordingly appointed
the following: The Rev. j. A. Scott, DR..
ID. M. Smith, DIR. J. L. Kirkpatrick, and
the Rev. w G. White.
The report of the committee on Home
Missions was then taken up and adopted.
AT this point recess of twenty min
utes was taken, after which the Rev. R. c..
Reed moved that the report on the Co
lumbia Theological Seminary be taken
up Adopted, and the Assembly pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the paper.
Mr.. L. B. Johnston moved that the
minority report be adopted as a substi-
tute for the majority both of which have
already been published Mr.. Johnston
SAID that the Board of Trustees in dismis
sing DIR. Plumer from an active to an emer-
titus professorship had acted without the
slightest constitutional authority, and DIR.
Plumer should have the right to answer
to the Assembly the charges against him.
He had been retired, without trial to
kind of ornamental position He had not
known that he had been dismissed by the
board Of trustees until the resolution was
adopted. He had not been accorded a
hearing, and the Church should not con-
sent to such injustice towards one of her
oldest, ablest and most efficient servants.
The speaker hoped that no attempt would
be made to smother the discussion, but
that the aggrieved would be accorded
full and faithful hearing The Assembly
should not desire to do any thing incon-
sistent with the highest right and Justice
The Rev. a. w. Clisby moved that DR..
Boggs be heard for the trustees. This
motion was accepted as an amendment by
Mr. Johnston, whose motion then passed
DR.. r. Wilson moved that the speak
ers be limited to half hour each.
Mr.. d. Q. Collins moved to amend bv
giving them an hour. Passed.
Dr. Plumer said that he would rather
not speak at all than be bound to stop in
sixty minutes. His answer was COMPACT
and complete, but with all due respect to
the Assembly, he would have to decline
to speak at all If he was to be limited bv
the hour.
The Rev. J. H. Bryson thought DR..
Plumer should have full hearing, and
that he should be given enough time to
make his statements complete.
The Rev. Mr.. MacGregor said DIR
Boggs could finish his remarks in thirty
minutes and DR., Plumer should be al
lowed to go on.
DR.. Girardeau thought he should be
entitled to as much time as necessary to
make his answer
Mr.. Collins moved that DR.. Plumer be
granted all the time required to state his
case. Adopted
Dr. Plumer then took the platform
and seating himself began his defence.
lie was laboring under very deep feel
ing, his voice was full of emotion and his
hands were trembling with excitement.
AS ne sat upon the stage, speaking for
himself upon matters Of very grave i'm
portance to his honor and usefulness "
with his documents around him and be-
fore an Assembly of his brethren" it
was picture for painter He at once
made profound impression on the AS
sembly, and excited the deepest svn-
Pathies in his behalf. He said that he
knew he came into the Assembly under
some disadvantages and that much had
been done to prejudice his case. 1t had
been SAID many years ago that he came
to South Carolina to combat the doctrines
OF DIR. Thornwell. He had never done
50. Dr. Thornwell and he lived in the
most sacred confidence in matters of ex-
perimental religion, and he had no bet
ter friend in the world than the family
OF his dead friend 1t had been said that
he promised to resign in one year. He
had a letter from Dr. Lindsay, who was
SAID to have made this remark, denying
that he had ever said any such thing
lie asked the clerk to read letters from
DR.. Lefevre, DR.. J. Leighton Wilson, and
Or. W. 5. Boggs, explaining that his pro-
tessorship bad not been changed at the
st ,ouis A ssero b1,, - 1o1s -