The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-26
Memorial TO Synod by Dr. Adgcr.

MemOrlal 10 SSuOu OS EFF. huscT'
To the Ven rable the Synolof South Care lima assem-
blrd Mt Abbevillc Oct. ls92.
Fathers and Brcthrcn-In exercising the right oi In
dividnal memorial to your Venerable body, which our
revised Form of Government c0nfers upon me, feel
that may be performing my last public duty to our
church. | have been very i'll, and am still in my
sick chamber and am possibly already one of your
very oldest members and therefore hope that may
secure your attention, from the Oldest to the YOUNGEST
to the important constitutional question which shull
bring brlU.e you. ,
There is minister of our church lvir within the
bounds of Prrshytery of this Synod but in no f"rm
ur measure under control oi that Presbyery, he nev-
erlhrlcss occupies position of great influence. ne
is charged with the moral and mental training and dis
cipne of numbers of the y0nng men OF our churcn,
moreover he Is actually doing strictly church work.
lie is editing religious newspaper which is eircn-
lating through our bounds, going every week to the
families of our churches. he discusses doctrihe ana
morals, and it may be is poisoning the minds of oul
youth: some Of us U,ay consider his paper very
good one. possibly some may say the best That Is pub
shed; for that is question OF mere i'iVldnn oi,in
ion while the case calls not Tor Individual opinion nut
authoritative control.
Now IL is the precise and emphatic doctrine OF our
Book of Church Order that every minister shhl! br
under the direct control Of the Presbytcry within
whose bounds he labors; no minister can labor out
side of the bounds of his Presbytcry without leave ;
no one can come in and labor without permission
when any minister removes from the BOUNDS of MIS-
own Prrsbytcry into another If he neglect for twelve
left shall be required to transfer; and should this
Presbytery neglect this duty. the other Presbyery is
required to assume jurisdiction over him and give
due notice. IL is plain therefore no Presbyery can
avoid having control Of every minister in its bounds
unless the same is elected aid appointed to some 0i
flee falling into the province OF Synod or Assembly
such an ofrice is that Of Professor in school Of di
vinity: such Professors are elected and appointed
and directed, and controlled by Synod or Assembly
Accordingly Professors are not necessarily members
of that Presbytery where the Seminary Is planted
The Theological Seminary Is not usually an Institution
of Presbytery but of higher court Prpfrss"rs
therefore as such not to be controlled governed
or directed by Preshytcry, but by the higher court
bytery must come diI ectly under the oversight and
direction Of that Presbytery.
1t is not necessary to recount how the minister IN
question comes to be in this anomalous position. All
Know that as soon he ceased to be connected with
the Seminary In Coumbin he brought letter OF dis
missa nom Augusta Prcsbytery to the Prcshytrry ol
Charl, ston and sought to under its government
and control. The Prcsbytcry refused him adnissl"n
Now the case OF q minister seeking admission into
another Presnytcry Is provided for Sec 70, Chap D.
of Chui Gu Courts 1t defines the topics of the exam
ination to which he is to be subject These are "EX
perimental ] eigiun, and Views In Theology. end
Church Government" nothing more is required tht
Presbytery of Charleston did not cOnfne itself 10
these points, but introduced questions which are "i
debate among ourselves and thiy refused the app-
cant admissions this Synod, meeting very shortly nj
ter sustained the Prcsbytery record in this case thr
ensuing Assembly sustained the Synod's rec0rs, and
SO the case stands.
wish this venerable body now to consider how
this case should end. Will 1t kindly allow me, per.
haps its oldest member to say respectfully. but frank