The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-25
Roanoke Prcsbytery.
SATURDAYS rRookkDINGs

DA\Nllslf. AkiIN -, 100.
After the reading Of the minutes OF FRI
day (Mr. Morton not having yet come M
DIR. Pcck's paper on "Fraternai relations
was taken up for short tlme' but as soon
ne MIR Morton appeared. his case was re-
s,mcd The statement Of Rev. John BOYLE
was continued and finished. This proved
10 he powerful vindication OF Mr.. Nor
TON. and made deep impression upon the
presbytery. In the course OF brief in
terruption Of the reading Of the paper DIR. Le-
tevrc' Of the Executive Committee, in show
inc that the committee had always highly
annrcciafcd Mr. Morton. and had laborcd 10
. harmonizo difficulties so as TO retain him
in their service. paid n glowing compliment
10 his fine abilities as a leader, and 10 his
zeal in the service OF the Campinas In
sti,utc. After the completion Of Mr..
Royle's papcr. MIR. Morton, In order 10
save time. asked for brief suspension OF
the case To enable him TO arrange his pa
pcrs. The farther consideration Of il was
therefore postponed till Monday morning,
and the Prcsbytery spent the remainder OF
tbe afternoon session and night session
in other business. chiefly in discussing the
matter OF the Concord PrcSbvterys memo
rial 10 the General Assembly. sent down
hv the Assembly 10 the PresbyterieS for
their consideration, proposing 10 strike
from the Confession OF Faith the prohibi-
ton against marrying deceased wife's sis
fer. The committee 10 whom this matter
had been referred could not agree, and two
REPORTS were prcscnted-one by the chair
man Of The committee. DIR. Peck, the other
bv Rev. II. &. Reed. The former took the
ground that the Form OF Government
makes no provision Tor any change
in the confession OF Faith, and
strongly argued the cNpcdlency OF
not attempting any change. IL The Con
fcs.ion cannot be changed as the Form oi
Government now stands there j. no use in
discussing the merits OF any proposed
amendment. The lawiulncss Of the mar
riocc relation referred 10 was not, there
fore. considered. Mr.. Reeds report took
tho Ground that while the Form of Govern
ment make, no provision for amending the
confession. although it preScribeS the
method for amending the other parts OF
the Constitution. nevertheless the Presby-
ferries which adopted the Confession have
an inherent right % change il, since there
i no express remuneration OF this right.
After = lengthy and able debate, chiefly on
the Dart Of the authors Of the two reports,
that OF Or. Peck prevailed by majority Of
two thirds.
The Committees on Foreign Missions,
Systematic Bcncficence. Publication, and
Sabbath schools brought in their annual
rcports. 4, heretofore stated, in noticing
the statistical report. 4 general improve
ment i shown in contributing to the be-
nevolcnt schemes Of the Church.
The report on foreign missions recon-
mcnded and the Prcsbytery adopted the
following resolution:
|. That the cause OF foreign missions is
more dear 10 our hearts than ever before.
>. That the female members Of all the
churches be requested to organize socie-
ties for the better promotion OF the cause
and to solicit subscriptions TO The MiS-
SiOndry.
The Sabbath-school report gives the
number OF schools reported in our congre-
cations AT &c. with liz teachers and 1,137
scholars enrolled; 1iG teachers and $50
scholars average attendance.
The statistical report to the General
Assembly gives the following figures:
Number o. ministers, 10; churches. "a;
ruling elders. 1l9; deacons, 81; members,
2,04j.
The committee appointed at the last
meeting 10 re6rganize Meherrin church re-
ported the way not yet open.
A committee. consisting Of Rev. Mr..
II. G. Reed. Dr. Alexander. and DR.. Wha-
rev, to report ut the next stated meeting
set OF rules in regard to the keeping OF
seasonal records so a TO secure a greater
uniformity. and to afford a uniform stand
ard i'm Judging Of the accuracy and proprie-
ty of the manner in which they are kept.
Rev. 4. Is. Darlington, now OF the Pres
byterv Of Winchester, and Rev. William
II. Atkinson. now OF Mecklenburg Presby-
terry. synod o. North Carolina, are in at
tendance. both Of whom were formerly OF
this Presbytery.
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
DANvHLE, April oath.
The day was almost wholly occupied,
and far into the night, in hearing the evil
dence and arguments in the case OF Rev.
G.. Nash Morton. Mi. Morton made an
able defence. and profoundly awakened
the interest and ,ympathies of his hearers.
At about 10 o'clock at night all the parties
having been fully heard, DIR. Peck pre-
s6nted paper expressive OF the sense OF
the Presbytcry in regard to the questions
at issue, which, after some slight amend
ments. was adopted, rs follows: In the
matter Of Mr.. Morton:
IL. The Prcsbytery have patiently heard
the papers and statements on both sides;
and while very far from approving Of Mr..
MOrton'S disregard Of the instructions OF
the Executive Committee OF Foreign Mis-
sions, and while deprecating the spirit
manifested in his memorial and other
papers, and while doubling the propriety
OF taking paSsage-mOney when he did not
expect TO return home Immediately, and
while disappearing his method Of getting
paid a debt which he supposed to be due
20, cot Ind frl fhat fhprq l. m n qxsiflcngp
OF ANYTHING dishonorable or immoral in bis
conduct. They ascrlbe his disSbedience
Of instructions and unauthorized contract
ing OF debts for the making improvements
upon the mission property to enthusiasm
in the prosecution Of great enterprise.
80. The Presbytery, further, are OF the
opinion that the committee could do
nothing less than demand that all eXpendi-
lures should be made under their direc-
tions. and were therefore only acting rs
faithful and trustworthy servants Of the
church in requiring strict accountability
on the part Of those 10 whom they were
furnishing the church's funds"
This paper was adopted with great man-
unity. Dr. Alexander moved and earnestly
advocated (l) an amendment striking out
the words, And while doubling the pro-
priety Of taking paSSace-m0ney when he
did not expect to return home immediate
w." This was lost by vote OF to II;
(2) to amend by striking out. the words,
.'and while disappearing his method OF
getting paid debt which he supposed TO
be due 10 him" This was lost by vote
OF 4 to Is. The first part of the paper was
then adopted by vote Of Is to A.; the see
ond, 81 10 1, and then the paper as whole
by vote Of Is 10 3.
\ vote Of cordial thanks was adopted,