Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-07
THE PASTOR WITH A CATHOLIC WIFE.

RELATIONS BE DIsSoLvED?-THE PRhsBfTEhf
DECIDES NOT.
The stated spring meeting OF the presbytery
OF WASHINGTON, In session at the North Presby-
terian church, on street, yesterday. after our
report closed, received a report from the COM
/ mittee on church erections on the building of
| three churches In Amelia county, Va, at total
cost of 81, 4SO, which had been promptly paid.
In the afternoon session a memorial from the
North Presbyterian church, In relation to the
pastor, was reported from the committee on
bills and OvertureS- Ii states that "a condition
OF things exists among the members OF the
church which, 10 our opinion, is greatly detrl-
mental 10 the interests of true religion and
which tends TO retard the work OF Christ in this
community; and that the origin OF this existing
0issat abstraction is chiefly traceable to the MART
age OF the pastor with member OF the Roman
Catholic church, and, as result thereof. some
or the members OF this church have gone to
other churches. Others are anxousty waiting.
La the hope that something will ba done to
bring relief The memorial Is signed by AN.
Salmon. c. y. Martin, Mary ii. Martin, E Myers
r.. Nj. Barr and fifty-four others
The committee asked that II oe considered as
In committee OF the whole This was agreed
to, and the presbytery at once proceeded to
consider 1t. The pastor was represented by
Mr.. Kerr, who is one Of the trustees, VINO read
from the proceedings OF the sessions that the
subject had been considered and Indefinitely
postponed by vote OF 66 to 80. Nothing had
been shown Affecting his integrity. and per
sonal SPITE be believed, to be at the bottom OF
1t. He produced statistics showing that the
coDdition OF the church has steadily improved
especially In regard TO finances. and its present
Indebtedness was not over $1,000.
Mi. A. M. Salmon. for the petitioners, referred
10 the statistics read, and claimed that the
church had lost money since the pastors mat
rlage. He dsclaimed on the part of the petl-
TONERS any personal hostility, but claimed that
with Catholic wife, holding teneJS exactly
opposite those held by the pastor. It was not
proper for him to preside over Presbyterian
congregation.
Mr. Ramsdell, In Ills own behalf spoke of the
pIfpp0fp1
was called to 1t, and acknowledged that his
wife was Catholic, and he believed a Christian
lady, to whom he was married by minister OF
bis own faith (Rev. DR.. Patton.) she had at
tended this church with all the regularity OF
other members, and also the weekly meetings.
until II was suggested that her presence was
distasteful TO some at the latter, and she ceased
her attendance at the weekly meetings. In
answer to questions by Or. Sunderland ne said
that she attended the confessional, but 1t was
0i5taSteful TO him,
At the evening session the consideration of
the complaint against the pastor Of the North
church was resumed Judge Drake offered the
Following preamble and resolutions:
The PresbyteTy, without meaning to express
any personal censure upon Mr. RamsGeil, or
any PERSONAL reelection upon his wife, who is
understood to be very esIimable lady, deem It
their duty to make The following declaration
and to take the following action
First-We do declare our solemn judgment
that 10 Presbyterian minister has moral right
TO marry Catholic woman, because 1T CANNOT
fail to weaken, and, perhaps, finally destroy
his ministerial influence to DE so connected with
one whose religious belief teaches her to regard
all PToteStantS as heretics,
second-In our judgment 1t Is an obstacle 20
the prosperity OF any Presbyterian church for
Its pastor TO contract such an alliance.
Third-On this ground 1t Is ordered that the
pastoral relation between Mr.. RamSdon and
the North Presbyterian church OF Washington
be dissolved. and that a member OF the Pres
oytery be appointed to declare the pulpit Va
cam.
The subject was discussed until II O'Clock.
when the meeting adjourned to a. m. today
THE PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.
tbs morning the Presbytery resumed its
session. Rev. Jos. T. Kelly offered a substitute
for Judge brakes resolutions declaring 1t as
their nTm conviction that marriages should not
De contracted between Presbyterian ministers
and members OF the Roman Catholic church;
yet, In view OF Mr. RamsdellS services to the
church, and IN view OF the expressed wish OF
the majority of his church for continuance OF
the pastoral relations, and In view OF the fact
that 1t appears that his wife does not oppose
Linn in his Office work, they recommend that
the petitioners, seeking the promotion OF peace
and harmony in tie church, and endeavorlng 10
advance the spiritual interests OF all parties
concerned In this iaatter. do. under existing
circumstances, perform their duties in anu
yield their support TO the church"
Mr.. /. g. Linton addressed the meeting, say
Ing that majority OF the church desired TO re-
tain Mr.. kamsdell, and in the course of his
remarks he referred TO the fact that this was
not the first disSenSl0n OF this kind the wife Of
former pastor having been prosecuted by some
OF those Who are now In a minority, and be was
forced by them to resign. The majority now
were perfectly well satisfied With Mr.. Ramsdell.
MIR. Salmon, Tor the petitioners, denied that
there had been any persecution Of Mr. MaSon'S
wife, and he denied that there was any perse-
cutiOn here personally.
DR.. Sunderland asked IL II was held that the
pastcr by his marriage had committed sin?
Mr.. Salmon answered that they did not so
hold, nor did he consider 1t immoral. He could
not. however, divest his mind of the idea that
this act could not but be detrimental to the in
terts's OF the church.
E.der Henderson called the previous ques-
ton.
DR.. Sunderland said With such subject as
this, tine should not be thought OF. We Will
see WHETHER there shall be any gag here.
Dr.. Chester seconded the motion, not because
he d'siTtd q to gag" but because it is appartlU
that the debate Will continue to bring Ia other
matter, as 1t had this morning. We have had
already another minister's wife referred TO.
The previous question was Iot ordered.
Judge Jones said that he had never referred
TO the question except TO say that he did not
regard the marrying to a Roman Catholic lady
relations.
In answer to a question, Judge Jones said
that II the minority left the church, he
believed that those who renamed could ana
would support the church.
Rev. Mr.. Ramsdell. referring to the state
ment that there had been falling off finan-
cially In his church, said that "a 1850 the
receipts were s., l46 and In 1851 So GOA falling
off OF $40. He thought that too much was made
OF tHlS SIl5Llt OenClency, and ne explained that
he told the people to pay the building fund and
Lot Lis salary. and In this way an apparent
falling OF appeared.
Judge Drake asked and Obtained leave 10
amend his resolution, so as TO avoid making
charge OF personal sin. by inserting lin view or
MS constitutional obligations" as minister
Rev. Mr. Van Doran took the ground that the
church had nothing 10 DO with the case. They
might regard this act as unwIse; but should
they put that opinion on record? SDmeti
minister VIII marry glddy girl, and does the
church put 1t On record that IL Is unWise? They
had seen cases where minister had married
girl addicted TO drink, and did they put de-.
ciarati0n In regard TO the m2tCer on record?
The community knew inoT to Judge these eases.
and the question was one for Brother Ramsdell.
and not for the church. When he finds that he
cannot PEI form hts duties he will doubtless
make 1t known. He took the ground that under
the constitution OF the church they had nothing
TO 90 with the matter, and both resolutions
should be laid On the table.
Rev. +. j. Grimkie (colored) said that these
resolutions, In his opinion, had nothing TO DO
with the case. The question was not who
minister has married. but Is what will be the
effect or Mr.. Ramsdell remaining-wlll 1t drive
people from the church? What Will be the
Effect IL be leaves? He would move that the
two series or resolutions be laid on the table.
lie suggested that special committee be ap-
pointed 10 call meeting OF the congregation
TO ascertain the status Of the members. He
moved TO lay the first clause In each series OF
resolutions on the table; carr1ed-IS In the ar