The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-08
Rev. N. M. Long and Memphis Presby.
terV

The appeal of the Rev. n. M. Long against
the Presbytery of Memphis was presented to
the Synod at its late meeting in Tuscumbia,
Ala, and referred by it to a judicial committee,
the chairman of which was the Rev. J. N. Craig.
of Holly Springs, Miss. This committee re-
ported unanimously that the appeal was out of
order. After very full discussion the report
was adopted by vote of thirty.nine to four.
The vote was taken at IL o'clock Friday night,
October 9th.
On Saturday morning the Presbytery of
Memphis met and adopted the following pa
per:
Whereas, The Presbytery of Memphis, met in
Somerville in April, 1882, did interpose ITS au-
thority and require the Rev. n. NJ. Long to
cease acting as pastor of the Strangers church in
Memphis and whereas, the Rev. n. M. Long
did Immediately give notice that he would ap-
peal to the Synod Of Memphis against this de-
clsion and whereas, the Presbytery has waited
patiently until Mr.. Long should have had the
opportunity of testing the validity of his appeal
before said Synod and whereas, the Synod met
IN Florence, Ala, October 27, 1882, by a vote Of
thirty nine to four, has declared said appeal out
of order therefore, be it
ReSotUed That this Presbytery has endeavored
to use toward Brother Long the utmost forbear-
ance, and would again assure him that in all
that she has done she has striven TO exercise
simply the discipline Of love for his edifcation
as well as for the good Of the Church and the
glory of God.
Resotved, That this Presbytery has no desire
to hold Brother Long subject to her authority
longer than he chooses to submit to her iurisdic
ton, and she recognizes that it is his personal
privilege and duty to renounce that jurisdiction
whenever he finds that he cannot conscieptious.
lV he nbIapt to big hrafbra, ~ II
ing to his ordination vows.
Resot0ed, That the Presbytery in the fear of
God, the love of Christ and the warmest frater.
nal interest OF Brother Long, now informs him
that if hereafter he shall persist in preaching at
the Strangers church contrary to her Injunction
as he has done for the past five months. the
Presbytery will be placed by him under the
painful necessity Of institutiDg judicial process
against him for disregarding her authority and
the Presbytery now appeals to him by the
love Of Christ and by the peace of the gospel to
relieve her OF this necessity by either submit
ting to her authority or, if his conscience con.
strains him to do 50, by asking to be relieved of
her jurisdiction in such a way as will enable
her to drop his name from the roll of member.
ship, with the prayer that Gods blessing may
rest upon him in whatever sphere Of influence
he may prefer to enter.
To this Mr.. Long made reply as follows
To the Rev. Presbytery Of Memphis, sitting in
Florence, Ala, October 28, 1882
RcUerend and Dear Brethrcn-In considera-
ton Of paper this day adopted by you as a
presbyte1y in reference to myself / respectfully
beg leave TO lay before you the following com
munication. While in my private Judgment
dissent from the proceedings of presbytery con
cerning me, both as to their wisdom and legal.
tY, l now feel constrained for the sake Of the
peace and prosperity Of the cause Of Jesus
Christ TO say that defer to the advice implied
in the resolutions adopted by you this morning
and do hereby respectfully ask Of you a certiG-
cate that / am a member Of the Presbytery Of
Memphis to this date, in good and regular stand.
ing and that I am this day dismissed at my
own request from its jurisdiction, and also that