Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-17
PRESBYTERY'S WORK
FORMER ACTION IN Mr.. HALLS CASE,
THOUGH SEVERE, MUST STAND.


moderator occupied the cnaar.
Dr. r.. p. Kerr, Rev. &. II. Denny, Ruling
Elders n. F. Vaughan. OF the Byrd church.
and q. p. Haw, Of Samuel Davies, Rev. @.
n. Price. Rev. II. ID. Stipson. reported.
presented excuses for hardness and we're
enrolled.
attendance AZ the present meeting.
Rev. Il. p. Epes was received on certtf.
cate Of dismission from the Presbytery OF
winchester. and after the usual examina-
nation he was enrolled and the call from
toe Eottaway church. which had been
found in order. was placed IN his hands.
Mr.. Epes was allowed 10 retain the call IN
his hands until q future meeting Of the
Iresbytery, when be shall give an answer
TO it,.
IMPORTANT oyERruREs.
DR.. Rosebro presented an overture TO
The General Assembly containing two very
important features
4. That the management OF the fund for
the education OF candidates for the minis
try be transferred from Memphis TO Rich
mond ard be given into the hands OF the
secretary and Committee OF Publication,
thus abolishing the Office Of secretary OF
education. This is recommended solely
from an economical point OF view. as II VIII
save the church nearly oil the present e&-
pense Of this department OF its work.
The second feature Of the overture re-
quires the synods to appoint ministers 70
visit such institutions OF learning as VIII
cordially open the way for IL 70 present 10
the young men the call TO the dospei nin-
istry.
Mr. BUCHANAN EXAMINED.
Candidate W. &. Buchanan was examined
on theology. church history. sacTaments'
and church government. These exainlna-
tons showed on the part OF Mr.. Buchanah
Al. - In obi nf these D.
iects and made very favorable impression
on all who heard his answers to the many
questions asked
THE CASE or MR. HALL.
Mr. Howison, of the committee 70 whom
was referred the letter of Rev. j. Cleveland
Hall. formerly the pastor OF this church.
made a report thereon.
He first read the following action OF
presbytery taken ut It's meeting last Iall
and of which Mr. Hall complaints,
1.-The presbytery having received reliable
information that the Rev. j. Cleveland
Hall has disregarded his ordination VOWS.
and without waiting for any action OF this
presbytery has connected himself with
another church, and as we have no commu-
nication from him OF from any othcial per-
son o. body therefore be 1t
g Res0lpod, That the name of Rev. J.Cleve-
land Hall be dropped from the roll OF this
presbytery."
NIB. HALLS EXPLANATION.
The following is the full text OF MIR.
Halls letter in reply 10 this action OF the
presbytery, which is dated Fairfax Court
house, January 10, 1891. and addressed 10
the Rev. Moderator Of East Hanover y; ,
REV. and Dear Brother,-It IS due both
TO the presbytery and TO myself that the
fact OF my apparent fOrgetfulness OF what
il due your body from one upon whom Its
hands have been laid be explained. In
some unaccountable manner / had i'm
pressed upon my mind the date OF october
2lst utimo az the day of the fall meeting OF
the presbytery many Of my papers being
vet unpacked after my move to this place,
and this being n country town, l was de-
priyed of Richmond daily papers, and so
urepared n paper to be laid before the
presbytery after the tenor below, asking
that my name be erased from the roll as at
my request. But as the date | had In
mind and was preparing for was wrong,
the presbytery had met and adjourned be-
fore | knew anything of 1T.
81 most earnestly dsclaim any intention
of ignoring pTesbytery's relation toward
me to such an extent as to deserve the re-
solution passed at the fall meeting erasinE
my name from the roll. And a. earnestly
request presbytery to reconsider that ac-
ton, and instead thereof record motion
to at my request erase my name from the
roll This request to have my name dropped
from the roll of presbytery / make because
/ have been forced by conscientious mo:
tiyes 10 cease preaching in the pulpit OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church for the reason
that my confidence in her system of gov
eminent had been shaken; and honesty,
therefore, dictated my leaving her min
istry.
WHY HE WHIT TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
"Iu explanation of my apparently I'M
seemly haste in making the move plead
my financial necessities, which would not
admit OF the delay required by calling
presbytery together and the further delay
of month or more in attaining my object
of entering the ministry OF another
Church. Hoping that presbytery will see
its way clear TO consider my request made
IN all humble sincerity, that it rescind its
action of last fall. in so far as 1t implies a
forCetfulness of ordination VOWS (as am
conscious of no intention to treat presby-
terry except with the utmost respect, and
in view of the above statement, / remain
with great respect for each and every men,
Der of your body
COULD NOT REscISD.
This having been referred to the COM
mittee, they reported as follows
THE committee TO whom has been re-
ferred the letter of Rev. j. Cleveland Hall,
bearing date 18th of January, 1891, and the
subiect-matter therein presented, and hav-
Ing tOublQtTtu lub ublNOI, lbCtNutl WIN
the action Of the presbytery on the sub
iect at the fall session, 1890. feel compelled
TO report that the course pursued by MIR.
Hall Justified the charge that he had dis
regarded his ordination VOWS, and that
the action of the presbytery in directing
that his name be dropped from our rolls
was right, but we recognize that his letter
is respectful IN its tone and matter and re-
gret that the facts have compelled action
on our part so severe and so little In &C
cordance with the petition of said letter,
the receipt of which is acknowledged; and
the stated clerk is directed TO send TO him
copy of this report as the answer OF pres
bytery to said letter."
TALK ON MISSIONS.
At / o'clock the regular order of the
day, meeting in the interest Of foreign
missions was held, OF which an interesting
address was delivered by Ruling Elder H..
G. Osborne, OF Petersburg.
1t was decided 20 hold the next meeting
at Berkeley on September 30th at Z. NJ.
Recess was then taken till p. nj.
WORK OF THE KyANoELIsT.
The first thing done by the presbytery
on its reassembling at night was TO hear
the report of the presbyterial evangelist,
Rev. w. A. Campbell, ID. ID. After giving
a report of his work for the year he gave o
summary Of his work for, the past eight
Nthsa NhN blAlo III NbANa AV io9 WI W.
gagged in this branch From IL the follow
ing points of interest are gathered:
In this time he has visited all but three
Of the thirty-nine counties in this presby-
terry. Eleven churches have been organ
lied. another partially formed, and three
reorganized. In this mission-held there
are twelve churches built and paid for
and two Others in process, and there are
also two manses. Eight charges are now
supplied with pastors which either were
moi in existence or were not IN condition
TO employ a pastor.
HIS WORK APPREcIATKD.
DIR. Hoge offered the following paper
which was UNANIMOUSLY adopted,
Presbytery has heard with great interest
and profit the report of Rev. William A,
Campbell. ID. D., in relation 70 his work a.
evangelist within its bounds. The report
50 comprehensive and yet so concise fur
nishes a most instructive and encouraging
view Of the practical value 81 such labor