The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-19
ABOUT A BOOK.
Mr.. no owIsoN's WORK DISCUSSED,
Presbytery Committee Reports that IL IL
"Hereticai I'm Its Teachings " Mission
and Other Labors.

1
and Other Labors.
The Presbytery reassembled at 9:30
O'Clock. Opened with PRAYER by Rev. s.
X. Winn.
Leave OF absence was granted Rev. T..
Pryor, ID. D., Revs. j. q. Anderson and
Il. o. Friersou, Ruling-Elders DR.. Muir
ray and Trugen.
Rev. W. A. Campbell presented the dis
missal OF Rev. T. p. Epes from the Pres
bytery OF Chesapeake, and asked that the
Presbytery examine Mr.. Epes, with view
Of his reception into the Presbytery.
Adopted.
Rev. +. o. Frierson. OF the Committee
on Theology, conducted the examination,
which was sustained by the Presbytery,
and. on motion, Rev. L. i. Epes was re-
ceived INTO the Presbytery, and his name
was ordered to be enrolled.
Rev. George ID. Armstrong, ID. d., asked
the appointment Of a commission to ar
range church at Brambleton, near Nor
folk. II the way be clear. Adopted.
The Moderator appointed Rev. G. ID.
Armstrong, ID. D., Rev. 4. o. Frierson,
and Ruling Elders George Tate and d.
Humphrey.
Rev. J. G. Anderson, OF the Examining
Committee on Hebrew, reported satisfac-
tory examination OF Licentiate Mcclure.
The Presbytery sustained the examination.
CALL.
Ruling Elder Goolsby presented q call
for the Manchester church for the pastoral
services of Rev. T. p. Epes. The call was
placed in the hands OF Mr.. Epes, and he
signitied his acceptance.
| Rev. J. u. Smith. chairman Of Commit
tee OF Domestic Missions, made report
on visitltion OF county churches, which
was adopted.
WEAK CHURCHES.
Ruling Elder ID. Humphrey offered
resolution that the evangelist OF this
Presbytery be authorized to call upon such
Church sessions as he may believe to be
possessed of suitable members to send such
members to visit and encourage the weak
and destitute churches within their reach,
and to hold such devotional services as
may in their judgment be conducted by
others than ministers OF the Gospel, and
report their action to the session to which
they belong and to the evangelist, so that
he may embody the same in his report"
Adopted.
CANDIDATE.
Rev. w. A. Campbell presented the fol-
lowing:
"The Presbytery having information
that Mr.. X. Gregory Jones, a member OF
the Brunswick church, desires to become
a candidate for the ministry under the care
OF this Presbytery, but is unable to pursue
the full course of study:
Resolved. That the Presbytery invite
Mr.. Jones to meet with 1t at its next stated
meeting for conference about this mat
ter"
Adopted.
Rev. II. d. Strinson offered a resolution
that the Presbytery having heard with
pleasure the addresses OF Rev. j. n. Craig,
secretary Committee of Home Missions,
and Rev. NJ. ID. Kalopotbakes, one Of the
missionaries in Greece, the Presbytery
hereby expresses its appreciation OF these
brethren, and its purpose TO do its utmost
to forward the causes they represent.
Adopted.
The committee appointed TO consider the
case of Rev. r. r. Howison and his book
to-day through its chairman, Rev. DR.. NJ.
| ID. Hoge, presented the following report.
DIR. Hoge. in making the report, stated
that he did not desire to say one word, but
simply to read the report OF the committee.
Mr.. HowIsoN's BOOK.
The committee to whom was referred
| the case Of Rev. II. II. Howison and his
book, entitled "God and Creation" after
personal conference with Mr.. Howison,
through their chairman REV. NJ. ID. Hoge),
and careful and prayerful consideration
Of the whole matter, recommend TO the
| Presbytery the adoption OF the following
paper as an expression OF the judgment OF
| the Presbytery in the case-viz.:
| First. Mr.. HowisOn'S book, "God and
| Creation,'' teaches doctrines irreconcilaby
at variance with the Scriptures as inter-
preted in the Confession of Faith and the
! larger and shorter catechism Of the West
minister Assembly, notably on such points
as the eternity of matter, the federal head
| shin Of Adam, and the human nature OF
Christ. The Presbytery does therefore
emphatically condemn the book as hereti-
cal in its teachings and calculated to lead
| its readers estray on points OF grave i'm
portance.
second. In conformity with the instruc-
| tions of our Book of Discipline, chapter
viii, section ", Heresy and schism may
be OF such nature as to warrant deposition;
but errors ought to be carefully considered
whether they strike at the yitals OF re-
| ligion, and are induStriously spread, or
| whether they were from the weakness OF
the human understanding and are not
| likely TO do much injury" In consider
ing this case we think the following par
ticularS should receive careful attention
viz:
1st. While teaching certain erroneous
doctrines in his book, Mr.. Howison does
not teach, but expressly disclaims, certain
other doctrines generally regarded as logi-
cal and necessary inferences from them,
and this especially on points which touch
the vitals OF our faith.
I'd. ON the points on which the teachings
OF his book are most seriously ut variance
with those OF the standards Of the Presby-
terian church, Mr.. Howison seems to hold
his peculIar views rather rs matter OF
sneculation than OF practical faith, and
hence. as we are credibly informed by
those who have set under his ministry, he
has never taught them from the pulpit.
2d Mr.. Howison has expressed Will"
,ngness. in Difference to the judgment OF
the Presbytery, TO give no further clrcula-
lion to his hook. "God and Creation." and
to carefully abstain from preaching or
teaching in any form doctrines at variance
With the Confession OF Faith. In view OF
tbis the Presbytery deems 1t unnecessary
to take any further action IN his case tnan
tIe expression OF It's judgment in the
adoption Of this paper.
ON motion, the paper was unanimously
adopted.
THE WORK IN GREECE.
The Committee on Foreign Missions
recommended the adoption OF the follow
i The Presbytery has heard with great
pleasure the statement OF our beloved mis-
slonary, Rev. DIR. NJ. D. kalopothakes,
.A,,nn.ninn his work In Greece. We feel