The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-04-19

the amended complaint. There was som'
discussion AS to the way In which the moder
the construction OF the committees report
Dr. Smith, of Charleston, said that the session
ought tohave light to construe the report
as II thought best. DR.. Girardeau said tha
the question as to the regularity OF the
report. Col. McMaster said that there was nc
use to quibble over what made up the re
cords. that all of the papers had been sub
mitted and every document was a part OF the
The Rev. Mr.. Hay, OF Edisto Island, said
that the committee only considered the orig
inal complaint and did not discuss the
Dr. Beattie ruled that the only question
that ne had positively decided was that II
was legitimate to have the objections re-
corded.
DR.. GIrardeau-What In world are we do.
ing? That committee tells US that 1t did not
report on the regularity of the amendmen ts,
aud we are acting on them. Well Just have
to rule them out.
The Rev. Mr.. Vincent-Can we go on TO
consider q matter the contents Of which were
never before the committee.
Mr.. Hav-Dr- Girardeau Ia perfectly right.
Mr. McLees. OF Commemorative only con-
sidered the original record and suggested that
the matter might be reconsidered.
DIR. Finn stated that the amended COM
plaint had been filled as soon as possible
that the efforts to get at the records OF the
court upon which 1t was based were started
on the 25th inst.
Mr.. blackburn differed with pr. Finn.
DR.. Finn read letter in which a request
was made for the action Of the church au-
thorities.
Mr.. BIsck bnrn-That was private letter.
Pr. FIinn-It is signed hy J. w. Suber,
clerk, and II that is not official. don't now
what's The inquiries that were then started
did not bring any Information until the 5th
Of April, 40 1t was absolutely impossible to
have filed the amended complaint earlier.
Dr.. Bea,tie, after a continued discussion on
plant was not a part OF the records.
DR.. Finn appealed from the decision OF the
moderator but his objections were not sus-
tanned.
1t was finally agreed that the matters con-
tanned In the amended complaint would he
admissible In the argument to be made for
the complainants.
Al this juncluIe It was decided to take re-
cess until after dinner.
The Presbytery waS called tn order ut 4
o'clock. and the case Of Miss Means was re-
sumed.
plainant. Miss Means, and Rev. G. A. Black
burn represented the respondent, the Session
Of the Second Presbyterian church.
DR.. Flynn began his argument by stating lat
the request Of the complainants. II was only
notified yesterday that was expected to re.
present Miss Means in the case. II is not
men, especially with brethren Of the church.
but cases often arise In human affairs where
II IL necessary to have conflicts which are not
desirable, and when such conditions arise II
is ls the duty Iy. Of every one to meet them un-
He had no desire to injure or TO impugn
any one concerned In the case, and hoped
that nothing be might say would be SO con,
strued. He wished 1t distinctly understood
that he did not intend to assail the charac-
ter OF any one, and, appearing, as he did, rs
The mouth-piece OF Others. his statements
should be construed as those or whom he rep
resent ted, and that they were given to him In
writing.
Referring to the constitution OF the Church,
he showed that In order for lawful complain
ants to be recognized by Presbytery they
must be members OF Church, submitting TO
Its authority and regulations, and that they
can appeal only under condemnation, and
the appeal or complaint may be made by
DR.. Finn stated that all courts might err
synods and presbyterles might err, and be-
cause OF this the right 10 appeal was granted.
The charge In this case was that the court
and the appeal was TO annul the sentence and
restore the complainant TO her standing in
the church..
All recognize the law of the Sabbath. and
the provisions for exceptions under this law
are limited to acts under two heads-necessi-
ty and mercy.
The question now is, Shall the charge made
against the complainant constitute viola
eide this question one way or the other. n
the sentence stands unannulled the response
b!lity rests on the Presby ytery. the Synod and
on the Southern General Assembly alike, and
their votes must be cast with regard to the
fact.
They we're not TO be deferred from voting
by any outside Influence in the way In which
they we're decided In view of the responsibili-
ty, resting on them. In voting you must de-
eide whether any work, to sustain life for In
STANCE. is considered a violation, giving the
charity OF feeling that we expect from others.
The compliments do not assail the character
Of those against whom they complain. The
charge Is injustice, and is based on the facts
which / Will now present.
THE ILLEGAL TRANSACTION.
First-No charge Of offense was ever made,
as none IL recorded, and what Is not recorded
Miss Sadie Means, a young woman, without
q mother, modest and retiring In disposition,
residing with her sister and brother-ln-law.
ce %ss wbers sb her services we're reoSired from
to o'clock on Sundays. On the 23rd Of
March she was brought before the session Of
the Second Church and suspended from mem.
bership because OF this alleged Sabbath.
made against her, as there was nothing re-
corded OF IL.
Dr. Finn here referred to the constitution
of the Church as to the manner OF max Ing
charges, supporting his argument to the In.
Formally Of the charge.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HER INExPER-
IENCE.
The session was under the impression that
Miss Means had committed an offense. and
their action was founded on that impression.
Miss Means knew nothing OF the tech hnicali-
ties of law governing sessional courts, ana
was consequently at a disadvantage. All are
entitled TO counsel IN such cases @ IN InS sas
counsel II she had known that she was enti-
A church should bring Its charges in writ,
ing, and the session cannot consider the
charge until a second meeting. ten days after
the first and all persons interested must be
cited TO appear at that meeting. Such was
not done in this case. No charge was made In
writing. Miss Means was summoned before
the session without notification.
Mr. BLACKBURN soUIRMs.
Rev. G. A. Black burn-Mr. Moderator, / In
sist on facts and the statement that she was
summoned is not fact.
me- The respondents Can refute 1t II 1t is not
true It Is q question between the complain
ants and respondents. These statements
were urnished me in writing. 1 give them
as have them.
MISS MEANS ASKED TO GIVE UP GOOD JOB
FOR A LESS DESIRABLE ONE.
DIR. Finn continued, saying that Miss
Means was summonded to the pastors study
sion nj the church she stated that she worked
on the sabbath. She was urged to stop work
Ing on Sunday, and was offered situation by
Mr. McCreery in his store, but the salary mol
heinp as large as she was then receiving she
declined the Offer Ten days before the 23rd
of March she applied for letter Of dismissal
the case having not then been brought: II
was not granted. There was no record oi
nharge against her or citation OF witnesses ut
That time. There was nothing to indicate
| thai charges were about to be preferred and