The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-04
(From the Cincinnati Gazette of April 26th)
Suspension of Rev. F. D. Moore.
The Presbytery of Ebenezer Orders His
Pastoral Relations Dissolved

y ouSp6uSlOu VI ftSV. r.. -. MOORE.
The Presbytery of Ebenezer Orders His
Pastoral Relations Dissolved
About year ago the moral sense of the peo-
pie of Covington rose against the people who
were fast turning Sunday into day of riot, and
the agitation for decent Sabbath which ensued
involved all classes of that community. The
Kentucky Legislature was moved to pass more
stringent Sunday laws, and under these the
Sunday Committee, as it was called when it was
named with any respect at all, was obliged to
have warrants issue for all classes of persons
who labored on the Christian Sabbath for the
sheer sake of consistency, when some of the
magistrates rendered the law nugatory by their
action. In the midst of the excitement the
Rev. Frank D. Moore preached from the pulpit
of the First Presbyterian Church sermon on
the Sabbath, which was so liberal in its views
that it was received with loud delight by Sab
bath breakers and corresponding dismay by the
other party. The following dispatch, received
yesterday from Augusta, KY, tells the final
disposition made of his case by the Presbytery
to which he belongs
The Presbytery of Ebenezer took the follow
ing action to-day in reference to the case of Rev.
F. D. Moore, pastor of the Presbyterian Church
of Covington:
FlrstSThat the pastoral relation hitherto ex-
isting between Rev. F. d. Moore and the first
Church of Covngtop be and hereby is dissolved
and the pulpit of that church declared vacant
Second-That Mr. F. E Earl be ordered to
read this sentence from the pulpit of said church
next Sabbath morning, according to authority
given in the Book of Discipline, chapter 5,
article l3
Third-That Mr.. Moore be, and hereby is,
suspended from the office and all the functions
of the Gospel ministry.
Your committee wish it to be distinctly under
stood that we do not recommend the suspension
of Mr.. Moore upon the ground of violation of
the injunction of the Presbytery made year
since. We make no such charge against him.
The reasons for our action are in substance:
First-Mr. Moore informs us that he will not
and does not intend to submit to our authority
secondly-that he has renounced the confession
of faith as held and interpreted by the Presby-
terian Church in the United States of America
thirdly-that he has most solemnly and publicly
recanted his ministerial vows
(From the Cincinnati Gazette of April 27th.)
Rev. F. D. Moores Reply to the Report
of the Committee of Presbytery.
The account in yesterdays Gazette of the pro.
ceedlngs of the Ebenezer Presbytery in reference
to Rev. Frank D. Moore, of the First Presbyte
rian church, created profound surprise, and
no small amount of comment in Covington 1t
had been generally thought that the differences
between Mr.. Moore and the Presbytery had
been disposed of, and that nothing further would
be heard of them. 1t was known to but few
that MIR. Moore was determined to bring the
question up again, and even those few had no
idea that matter would turn out as they have
The feeling among the major part of the con
gregatlon, when their astonishment abated was
one OF sincere regret. Some ndulged the opin-
ion that Mr.. Moores congregation would stick
to m, leave the Presbytery, and form Con
gregatonal Church. The generality, however,
were cautious about saying anything further
than stating the sorrow at the outcome of the
affair. Reportorial calls were made on William
Ernst Capt. II. Bostwick, State Senator C. D.
Foote, F. e. Earl, Judge Perkins, and other
prominent members of the church, but each pos
itively refused to be interviewed 1t was
stated, however, that the rumor as to the setting
up an independent or Congregational Church
was altogether without foundation, and the
opinion was freely expressed that Mr.. Moore
would countenance no such undertaking..
Mr.. Moore reached home last evening, and
his house was at once crowded with members of
the church and personal friends He talked
pleasantly and freely, and remarked that while
he expected breach between himself and the
Presbytery, yet he was unprepared for the
Y
pected that after his paper to the Presbvterv
had been read he would be informed that it was
inconsistent with his remaining in the capacity
OF minister In the Church. and that his resipna-
ton would be requested. And he intended to
comply with the request Among those present
were Gen John w. Finnel and wife, Mr.. Hugh
Colville, Capt. and Mrs. Henry Bostwick Mr
Earl, Mr.. Martin, and others. The under
standing is that Mr.. Moore will accent the situa
ton as it is and will take up the practice of
law, ppfession in which he served three
years, and which he quilted to enter the minis
try.
His paper which was read before the Presby-
terry, and which led to its action day before ves.
terday, is powerfully written, and sharp and
pointed throughout He commences with The
remark that he finds himself in the same attitude
which ne occupied to the Presbytery a year ago
and that after one years reflection his mind is
more resolutely liked in the condemned opinions
than 1T was on the day of their condemnation.
he regretted that he should have to appear in
character that the spirit he had hitherto en-
counteredmight be described as defiant and con.
tumaclous, but he had experienced the fruitless
ness OF denial when the charge that is made is
personal and abusive, and the circumstances of
ms trial were such as to render it impossible for
him TO conduct himself otherwise than as he
did. The proceedings against him had been
abrupt and severe, and conducted without anv
attempt whatever to convince by reason and ar
Bument. The question involved was declared
TO be no longer open. His guilt was taken az
too helnous to admit denial, and the purpose of
the proceedings seemed only TO be his conviction.
There was enough to kindle fury of resist