The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-10


G. Rosamond R. A Lapsley,
John NJ. Rose, Jr., E. NJ. Richardson,
Eugene Daniel, r. G. Rawlings,
F. w. Sheriff., Milton P. Younpe.
James Elder G. L. Wexford,
V. N. Rice c. w McCrea
A. ~ Erskine, R. F. Wilcox.
Darlington Mason, John Johnson,
A. a. Barnard
He also read the following letter:
APRIL 25, 1882.
REV E. DANIEL: My Dear Brother-While !
could not agree with the expediency of present
ing the memorial to the Presbytery, l would
not be understood in any way that Justify the
Rev. N. Nj. Long in setting aside the law of the
Presbyterian Church in organizing and taking
charge of the Strangers Church without the CON
sent and authority of the Presbytery. He has
certainly defed the authority of the church to
which he is bound, and l would repeat what |
said to you and also to Nh Longs friend. If l
come into the Presbytery, l would require him to
withdraw from the Strangers Church or else
leave the Presbyterian Church.
Iours truly, EDWARD c. JONES.
On motion, these communications were re-
terred to a committee of five, as follows: Gill,
Carne, j. ]. Hall, Fentress, and S. B. O. Wilson.
Mr.. Long said he would like to be permitted to
place his answer TO the documents read before
the committee, which was granted
After a protracted discussion the following
action was taken
SoMERvILLE. Tenn, April 28, 1882.
To the Presbytery of Memphis:
The undersigned committee to whom was re-
ferred the memorial of certain ministers and
ruling elders Of the several Presbyterian church
es in the city of Memphis in regard to the Rev
N. NJ. Long, a member of and minister in the
Presbytery of Memphis, would respectfully re.
port as follows:
We invited both the memoralists and brother
Long to appear before the committee and per.
mitted and requested both parties to produce
any evidence they might see proper. We have
given both sides a full and patient hearing. and
after careful deberatlon and consideration of
the memorial, and of brother Longs answer IN
writing thereto, and all the evidence adduced
pro and con would recommend for your adop
tCn the following paper:
ReSolUed That the I-esbytery recognizes the
right of all persons to associate together for re-
ngous purposes upon any creed they may frame
for themselves, or upon no creed at all.
Resotocd That the Prcsbytery, while lament
ing the dissensons that rend the BODY of
Christ, has the right and it is her bounden dutv
to inquire into the conduct and direct the labors
oil all her ministers, and to take action in all
things pertaining to the usefulness of her church
es according to the following provisions of our
book of church order chapter V, section 4. ar.
tlcle b; - A Presbytery has authority to re.
ceive and issue appeals complaints, and refer.
ences brought before il in an orderly wav
to require ministers to devote themselves
diligently to their sacred calling, and in
general, to order whatever pertains to the
spiritual welfare Of the churches under its care.
Chapter VI section s. article / " No minis
ter or probationer shall receive a call from a
church but by permission Of his Presbytery."
ResotUed, That all ministers are bound to
submit to the Judgment and action Of the Pres
bytery to which they belong by the following
VOWS which they voluntarily take at their or.
dination
Questlon-Do you approve the government
and discipline Of the Presbyterian Church Of the
United States
Answer do
Ques.-Do you promise subiection to your
brethren in the Lord?
Ans.-I do.
Ques.-Do you promise to be Jealous and
faithful in maintaining the truth of the gospel
and the unity and peace Of the church whatever
persecution or opposition may arise unto you on
that account
Ans-I do.
ResoJUcd That from the manual of the Stran.
gers Church Of Memphis it is evident that said
church is not in accord with the PRESBYTERIAN
Church in the United States, either in doctrine
OF polity, and from the evidence, both parol