The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-30

THE FIRST CHURCH DISSOLVED TO ENABLE
HIM TO GO TO TVE LEXINGTON CHURCH.
! At the call OF the moderator a pro-re-
nqtd meeting OF East Hanover Presbytery
was held in the First Presbyterian church,
Richm,ld, Va, yesterday.
In the absence OF the last moderator,
Rev. j. ID. Dudley, Rev. Il. II. Howison
was elected moderator and Mr.. j. ID. X.
Sleight temporary clerk. The Presbytery
was opened with prayer by Rev. c. II.
Read, ID. D.. and the following ministers
and elders were enrolled-yiz. Rev. w.
4. Richardson, ID. D., Rev. NJ. ID. Hoge,
ID. d., Rev. c. III. Read, ID. d., Rev. L. l..
Preston, ID. d., Rev. X. Il. Howison, Rev.
Thomas Drew, and Rev. r. =. Kerr. Of
Petersburg; Elders J. A. Scott, Ashland
church: Hugh Blair, Grace-Street church;
DR.. George D.'Harris, Second church, h.
w. Cone, Third church.; and j. ID. IA.
Slelght, First church.
Rev. DR.. Preston presented at length
his views regarding the call received by
him from the Lexington church, and his
reasons for desiring to accept it. and for
asking letter OF dismissiOn from this
Presbytery.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Judge T.. II. Fitzhugh aud Mr.. John
Boiling were present as commissioners
from the First church. and Judge Fitz-
hugh presented the following resolutions,
which had been adopted by the cOngrega-
ton OF said church:
|. ReSOired, That the congregation OF the
First Presbyterian church OF Richmond
receive with deep regret the announcement
that our beloved pastor has rendered his
resignation with view to the acceptance
Of call from the Presbyterian church OF
Lexington.
>. RcSOlred. That we heartily endorse
the sentiments Of afcctionatc regard eX-
pressed in the preamble and resolutions
presented to this meeting [by the session.,
and we reluctantly acquiesce in the con-
clusion reached by the session OF thi,
church.
3. HeSOlred, That only from deep sense
OF duty can we consent 10 4 SeYercnce Ot
the ties that have bound our pastor to this
church for the past fifteen years; that the
consideration OF the health OF our pastor
and the peculiar circumstances that seem
10 indicate the guidance OF Providence in
the decision 10 which he has come i'm the
selection OF new field for his pastoral SER
vices alone reconcile u 10 the sacrifice we
are called upon 10 make.
4. RcSOlred, That duty to his family and
to the Church OF Christ has prompted this
request OF our pastor and induced Us TO ac-
qulesce in ms decision.
,. Resolved. That we commend him 10
the atiectionate regard Of the members OF
the church whose clll he propose, to ac-
cept. and trust that his new home may be
4 more fruitful field 0i labor. and that our
loss may be their gain.
6. ReSOlred, That in every relation OF
life our pastor has discharged his duty to
this congregation in a manner which we
doubt not will receive the plaudit OF the
Master. " Well done, good and faith
ful ,cryant.' In Tie language Ci our for
ller pastor, he has given Lis youthful vigor
TO the spiritual interests OF tits Ccngrcga-
tiCn: he ia, Mingled lis smiles and his
tears with ours; az the altar, the font, the
firesldc. the Sick-roOm, the house Of mourn
ing, and the grave; amidst scenes that are
not commonly repeated in the same life,
and can never be forgotten. We trust that
"A spiritual harvest may be reaped by his
successor from the Gospel seed which he
has % long and so faithfully sowD.
!. ReSOlrcd, That our pastor. under all
circumstances, has ever been impelled by
the highest considerations OF duty. and we
unite with him in his application TO the
Presbytery OF East Hanover to dissolve his
pastoral relation with this church.
/ 5. ReSOircd. That our commissioners to
the Presbytery OF East Hanover be request
ed TO give every facility on their part to the
final action Of Pre>bytCry that our pastor
may desire.
.. Rc>Olrcd, That we commend our be-
loved pu,tor to the citizens Of Lexington,
and trust that he may be q, highly apprcci-
ated by them a. be- has been 10y this whole
community. and that the blessing OF our
heavenly Father may ever rest upon him
and his pastoral llbor>.
SIMILAR rc>oluton> from the session OF
the church were also presented.
{ TIE REQUEST GRANTED.
Judge Finhugh further stated in brief
the reasons for the action of the session
and congregation in acquie>cng with their
pastor IN his request Tor dissolution OF
the pastoral relation.
3 on motion OF DR.. Read the papers pre-
scnted were accepted a> the true eNprcs-
sion OF The session and congregation OF the
First church.
/ Dr. Richardson moved that the request
OF Dr. Preston bee granted, and that let
ter Of di>mi>sion 90 Lexington Presby-
terry be given him.
Remarks were made by Drs. Richard
son. Hoge, and Read. by Elder L. W.
Cone. and Rev. Il. Il. Howi>on. expressive
OF the high regard in which Or. Preston
! is held by the churches and the community
Of Richmond. and the deep regret felt by
; all at tie great los, that will be sustained
by hi, departure, and the motion was
unanimously adopted.
THANKS.
: Or. Preston rendered bis thanks 10 the
members OF Prc,bytery for their action
and Tor the warm expressions OF regard,
and added that his own feelings would not
allow him to dwell upon the matter.
ON motion Of. DR.. Read, Rev. William
Frost Bishop was appointed TO preach in
the Fr,t church at an early day and to de-
clare The pulpit vacant.
/ After prayer by Or. IIoge, Presbytery
( adjourned.
ChIef-Jusficc Coleridge.
H.. ba IN, no 4 ~