Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-21

troll OF the building in funeral matters. and
there the whole weight Of the exclusion
OF the bodies OF DIR. Walker and his wife
has been thrown upon the pastor Of New
Providence. With how much justice the
above narrative Will show While there IS
no general law in the Presbyterian system
prescribing when. where. or how funeral
services are TO be held Ote building is under
the legislative control Of the Session, whose
orders, when passed, are binding on every
member Of the body, pastor and all. While
rapidly making his preparations for ser
vice some of the elders Of the church came
10 HIM with the announcement that the
motion of SUNDAY 70 exclude the body of
Miller applied equally 90 the other party IN
the fcud. Although reluctant TO see this
course pursued and foreboding evil con-
sequences ia the church and IN the COM
muuity out Of II, there was nothing TO 90
hut obey the law "A interpreted hy the
members Of the body which bad made II.
The action was accordingly taken. and The
funeral rites necessarily shortened en-
bfaccd only the usunl services employed
Of the open grave with a few remarks OF q
personal character.
GROUNDS OF rHR Sessions DECISION.
The grounds 81 the sessions action are
these:
I. The exclusion Of Millcr's body was
done IN obcdiouCe 20 a public feeling
which would have effected far more mis-
chicyous results had 10 been resisted. The
action carried peril IN either alternative OF
taking or not taxing II in the unparalleled
excitement Of public feeling, but II was be-
hcvcd 90 carry Jess ~ the course pursued.
2. The same rule Wa applied 20 the BODY
az Or Walker as less dangerous 90 the
church than q course which might make II
aupcAr "a. taking sides M the deadly ieud.
The church as such must take "a neutral
position. The exclusion ct hofh since
one had been excluded seemed necessary
60 make this neutrality apparent. What
over may bee the personal svmpa'hies oi m
diyidual members ~ the session, they did
not think 10 lust or wise TO add 20 the sor-
row Of unohendiug mcmbers Of Their own
church hy apparently placing their church
a~ such ou the side of the opposing party
in the mortal strife. The same ruling was
therefore applied % both. That the act
included The body # Dr.. Walkers noble
WIFE fOr whom the -ympathles If all were
reused % the most passionate lerHOr. wa
.1reiv lamented bui She was so completely
identified with her husband IN her death
a. in her life no discrimination was posi-
bile.
g. The Nird reason was that the action
s,kDn was M accordance with m. bdHfr
0.ru iri,lss repeatedly oppressed IN lbs own
lifetime. He bad repeatedly haid ne ol'
not wish 10 boz buried from New Providence
church. lc desired 20 hc buried by hs
brother Nasoue from his own house. This
Wa known in the session, but not 80 all rs
members. This was "A conclusive considc-
ration. Had IL been generally known, all
occasion for this explanation would nave
been prcciudcd bv AN universal consent.
Itisto Poe hoped that this statement viii
bo as eatefactory go the public rs the
grounds If the.r action ore 10 the session
OF New Providence church Called 20 act
Do circumstances of great difficulty. they
b,yo don. a painful duty 10 tuc best of
thor ability aiming 10 keep the Church
neutral in mischief which has aroused
strong feeling ia the friends Of both par
tie. 10 q tragedy which vim live i'm the all
male If this section of Virginia, and whose
end is not yet visible.
G. Il. VAUGHAN. Moderator.
T.. ~ couH Stated Clerk of New ProU-
douc- church.