Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-05-06
Chesapeake Presbytery.

Chesapeake Presbytery.
(Repored for the Alexandria Gazette.
The Cesapeake Presbytery met at War
renton, May 3rd, at II a. m, and was open
ed with sermon by the Moderator, Rev.
j. p. Strider, from the text ;;And who is my
neighbour" Luke X. 90 1t was discourse
Of remarkable eloquence and power. The
following members were present during the
sessions: Ministers: A. ID. Pollock. A. W.
Pitzer, Henry Branch, VIM. Dinwidtlie, ].
P. Strider, i. B. Turnbull, 7. p Epes, VIM.
Chinn, James H. Smith, and Ro. B. White
Ruling Elders; w. A. Moore, Alexandria ;
Oscar Braden, Catoctin; Chase Andrews,
Central Church; G. d. Gray, Culpeper; S.
G. Catlett, Greenwich; VIM. Irvine, Hart
wood; Ro. Harper, Leesburg J. Fl. Ensor,
Grove; D. B. Croushorn, Litchfield; w. F..
Glasscll Salem James w. Brooke, Warren
ton, and w. {. Peaston, Rapidan.
II. P. Epes was elected Moderator, and
James H. Smith and Ro. Harper temporary
clerks.
A petition from Cumberland Church ask
ing for the services Of J. Calvin Stewart, Il
candidate for licensure in this Presbyterv,
was answered as follows:
Presbytery having carefully considered
the communication from Cumberland
Church is unable to sec its way clear to
grant the request Of said church. and
in view Of the urgent needs of our own
field, and the cordial and unanimous call
from one Of our own churches for the SER
vices of Bro. Stewart, is of opinion that it is
his duty to remain with us, and engage in
work under direction of Presbytery
A call from Catoctin Church for the pas
toral services of Rev l.. 3. Turnbull, and a
remonstrance from Farmwell Church against
any change in his pastoral relations to them,
were referred back to these churches for
further consideration among themselves.
Messrs. Dinwiddie, Epes, and Smith, APP
pointed special Committee to consider the
subject made the following report which was
UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
The Committee to examine the subject,
report recommending to Presbytery the
adoption OF the following overture to Synod:
The Presbytery of Chesapeake respectful
y overtures the. Synod Of Virginia asking
the reconsideration Of it's deliyerance
in the report adopted by Synod at Peters
burg, 1881 (see minutes p. 10S), OH 'the ma
ture and extent Of the authority and care
given to our Presbyteries in the training of
candidates for the ministry"
l. We dissent from the second paragraph
of the report adopted, which is as follows ::
1.-THE standards Of our Church, and the al
most uniform usage under them, regard those
seeking the ministry in this Church rs bound
at least when entering upon their theological
studies, to place themselves under the care
OF some Presbytery, most naturally, that
within the bounds Of which the student re-
sides" We find nothing in the standards of
our church showing that "those seeking the
ministry in this church are hound. at least
when entering upon their theological studies,
to place themselves under the care of some
Presbytery"
=. We dissent even more strongly from
the third paragraph Of the report which is
as follows II Further, the standards and
practice define the nature and extent of the
authority of the Presbyteries overtheir cam
didates as similar in kind and degree to that
exercised by the Presbyteries over their
ministers" We find nothing in the Stand
ards to this effect. On the contrary. when
the minister is amenable to his Presbytery the
candidate is to his Church Session.
a call from the Church at Ellicott CITY.
Baltimore Presbytery, for the pastoral SER
vices OF Rev II. Branch was put into his
hands, accepted by him, and he was dismiss
ed to the Presbytery of Baltimore.
Presbytery in dismissing Bro. Branch
adopted the following paper;-Resolyed,
That it is with unmixed regret that this
Presbytery has been called to part with Rev.
ii. Branch, and that our prayers and best
wishes go with him and remain with him.
Rev Messers Myer and Turpin of the
Baptist Church and Rev Messers Canter
and DR.. Poulson of the Methodist Church
were invited to seats as visiting brethren,
and formally introduced to Presbytery,
A. W. Pitzer and j. H. Enderle. Ruling FL
der of Central Church were elected Commis-
sioners to the General Assembly. William
Dinwiddie and James Y. Brooke, were elect
ed as Alternate Commissioners.
Mr. Calvin Stewart was examined on ex-
perimental religion and his motives for seek
ing the ministry, also on Theology, Church
History, Church Government and the Sacra-
ments. He further delivered a sermon before
Presbytery and the congregation assembled
read popular lecture on the parable of the
ten virgins and submitted to Presbytery a
Latin Exegesis and Greek Critical Exer-
else. All these parts of his trial and the
others required by the form of Government
having been approved by the Presbytcry as
he was then licensed as pro-
bationer for the ministry and on request Of
the Salem Church assigned as their stated
supply for one year.
Excellent congregations attended the |;
preaching twice daily during the sessions of /