Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-11-21

neTals be restricted and that in no case shall
he oficiate or attend at the cemetery.
4.-That he shall not continue his habit of
pastoral visitation to the same extent as here
tofore
o-1hat the officers of the church provide
supplemental ministerial service as far as
necessary and practicable
Besolsed 4M.-That the Chairman and Sec
rotary OF THIS meeting communicate the fore
going propositions to DR.. Mcfarland and on
behalf OF the congregation urge his acceptance
thereof.
Mr.. Burke added in support of the reso-
buttons, that but few of the congregation
had an adequate idea Of the feeling outside
OF the congregation and among the general
public, about this matter. The proposed
resignation of DR.. Mcfarland was the top
ic OF general conversation and asa 2afleral
regret. It was but a few hours ago, h his
way to church, he had been saluted by Il
prominent member of another church with
this: ''You are on your way to your con-
gregatlonal meeting about Dr.. McFar-
land S resignation. Don t let him leave; it
would be public calamity" Another
gentleman not q member of any church had
said to him: II don't know what 1 shall
DO; I am broken up. don't know where
to 90. had thought of joining his church.
1t will never do; he must not go.n These
were but specimens of much that was being
said in the city on this subject. both by
church members and those who are not.
Elder J. A. Waddell said that there had
been aconference held last Friday night and
heresolutions above had been agreed on to be
submitted to this meeting. He had learned
that in the matter of funerals DE-. McFar-
land S labors were excessive. In one
month he had attended siX-nearly two a
week-and all of persons not members of
his congregation. He was very sensitive
on this as on all other points Of duty, and
when it was communicated to him that on9
OF the resolutions to be submitted to this
meeting referred to funerals, he said that
he wanted it distinctly stated that it was
no complaint from him-he had only done
what every minister is expected to do. Mr..
Waddell said that the funeral services at
the house OF church could be performed
without great risk, but those at the cemete-
ry where the minister stood, with head uncoy-
cred, and on the damp ground, were trying
to the strongest man. In the matter of the
pastoral visitations, Mr.. Waddell said, the
resolution does not mean to bind the pas
tors hands us regards them, but we simply
want to say that we want to give them up.
His pastoral yisitatiOns have been very dear
tr,, T ~, T.,
Ell even meet him Oh the street, that I do
not feel cheered and comforted-more so
than with any man [ ever knew, and we
only mean by this resolution that we are
willing to give it up. Whether Dr.. Nc
Farland will accept QUE propositions, no
body knows; We can only hope so.
Elder Grattan moved that the Chairman
and Secretary communicate the action of
this meeting to DR.. Mcfarland, and that
the meeting be adjourned to meet next Sum
day to receive their report.
Elder Waddell said that Dr.. Mcfarland
expected to absent himself from the city
for some weeks and would not he able to
respond to the action Of the meeting until
he returned.
Deacon j. n. Mcfarland moved that the
resolutions offered by MI. Burke be adop-
ted by rising vote. The audience rose to
their feet as one man.
The meeting then adjourned.
HOPE DIsPELLED.
At the annual Union meeting of the Y.
M. G. A. in the same church Sunday night,
| Rev. l.. B. Johnston of Harrisonburg, read
1ieesetice which he said came from Rev.
Dr.. Mcfarland, asking the prayers Of the
meeting to the end that Dr. fN II might
he sufficiently restored to health to con-
tinue his pastoral duties. 1t at once gave
rise to the happy belief that he had deter
mined to accept his congregation s PROPOSE
lions. 1t turned out that the notice was
not from him but from an Elder of his
church, and MI. Johnston promptly COZ
r,cted the error in q card through the
papers. 1t may be said that Dr.. McFar-
land S intentions have not been commune
Gated to any one further than those he stated
i'll his letter of resignation; nor IS it likely
they will be fOr some weeks to come
DIR. M'FARLAND WILL PREACH NEXT
| SUNDAY.
| Dr.. Mcfarland will fill his own pulpit
next Sunday morning. In a conversation
with a representative of this paper yester-
day he said he was wholly unable to say
what his decision would be with regard to
the action Of the congregation on Sunday.
He would leave the city some day next
week and during his absence he hOped to
fully consider the whole subject, and what
determination he arrived at would be COM
inundated to his people after his return