The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-05
NORFOLK PREsBYTERY
An Important Meeting Was Held Yesterday
and Much Business Was Transacted.
PASTORAL RELATIONS DISSOLVED
Rev. DR.. J. II. Howerton and Rev.
Byron Clark Arc No Longer Mem.
bers Of tho Norfolk Prcsbytcry-
Their New Fields of work-Places
to BE FILLED on the Committees.

The Norfolk Presbytery met yesterday
morning at IL o'clock according to the
call. and was opened with prayer by
Kew. Byron Clark. the last moderator.
present
Those also present were: Revs. ]. l..
Allison. j: r. Howerton, D. D., w. S.
Lacy, D. D., E. Il. McCluer, H. c.
Moore. r. A. Robinson. w. a Slaymak-
er. and e. T. Wexford. and Representa-
tires w; II. Burroughs, First Church;
w; u. reynolds, Second Church. Nor
folk. and J. H. Nurney. of Suffolk.
Rev. w. S. Lacy was appointed
clerk. after which the call for the meet
Ing was read, and Rev. P. P. Reese of
the Newton. N. J., Presbytery, being
present. was invited to sit as a CORE.
spending member.
The call of the First church, Charlotte,
n. c., extended to Rev. DR.. ]. r. How
erton. of the First church, In this city,
was read and pronounced In order.
me commissioners of the First
church, Norfolk, We're then heard They.
stated that congregational meeting
had been held and that they were ready
TO issue the case. and would make no
resistance to the call.
Rev. Dr. Howerton was then given the
call and stgnified his acceptance Of the
same, whercupon the body dissolved
the pastoral relations existing between
DR.. Iiowerton and the First Presbyterian
church, or Norfolk, the congregation of
the latter asserting thereto by It's COM
missioners. The Doctor was given let
| ter OF dlsmission to the MecklenburE
Presbytery. and Rev. L. B. McCluer was
designated 30 declare the church vacant
| at time most suitable to the congrega-
| ton and himself.
GOES TO MT. WASHINGTON.
Rev. H. C. Moore at this point took
the chair, Rev. Mr.. Clark retiring there
| from and rendering his resignation as
pastor OF the Mackenzie and Onancock
| churches. There were then laid before
the presbytery communications from
| these two charges. adopted at congrega-
tional meetings, and asking the presby-
terry to dissolve the pastoral relations ex-
| listing between them and Mr.. Clark The
request OF these communications being
| granted. Mr.. Clark was dismissed to the
Maryland Presbytery and was at his
own request appointed to declare his
| former charges vacant.
THEIR NEW FIELDS.
Mr.. Clark's new church is situated
| III Mt Washington, n suburb of the Ma
tional Capital. 1t has a cultured and
wealthy congregation and Is altogether
a most desirable call. He is an able and
| eloquent preacher, and occupies n warm
place In the hearts of the members of
this Presbytery. During his three years
ministry his churches have more than
doubled In membership; commodious
chapel has been constructed in needy
ana hitherto overlooked field; the church
at Accomac courthouse (Makemie
church) has been renovated and greatly
beautified and enlarged. and an elegant
and attractive new church, which was
dedicated on the Goth OF November by
Rev. w. w. Moore. the distinguished
professor and pulpit orator, has been
erected in Onancock.
The church TO which Rev. DR.. Hover
ton Is dismissed is situated in the Cen
trail part Of Charlotte. and the church
property occupies an entire square 1t
has about 600 members. is in good cir
| cumsiances. and Its church edIfce has
lately been remodeiled and is now said
10 be the handsomest church structure
In the South
DR.: 1iowertons loss will be greatly
felt here not only by his congregation.
| but his many other friends He l. n
| gentleman of unusually brilliant at
tainments as preacher. and he has a
most delightful personality which makes
him friends and admirers wherever he
| may be.
During the consideration OF DR.. How
| erton's dismissal, earnest and eloquent
| testimonials were made to his. charac-
| ter and worth by Colonel TAFT, Mr.. r. s.
| Cohn. Mr.. r. w. Santos Mr. II. =.
Basnal. representing the First church.
| ana by KEYS. DR.. Lacy, r. a. Robinson,
h. b. McCluer. and Mr.. w. d. Rey-
no!ds. Of the presbytery.
COMMITTEE VACANCIES.
| Some discussion arose as to the filling
of the vacancies in committees caused
by the removal of DR.. Howerton and Mr.
| Clark. Rev. DR.. Lacy clerk of the home
missions. was appointed to act as chair
man until the next meeting of the pres
| bytery, and directed, also. to fiji tempo
rarily DR.. Howertons pulpit. Mr.. Clark's
position as chairman of the Committee
| of Examination in Hebrew was filled by
the appointment of Rev. a. s. Venable.
| Rev. r. a. Robinson, during the ses-
| sion, spoke OF the great need of visiting
;he mission churches. giving them as
s!siance and encouragement; He was
/ of the opinion, that members Of the
home missionary committee shculd make
| these visits at least twice a year.
/