The evening times., 1896-02-03
CthsURtD THE TRUSTEES
Continued from First Page.

held February 3. $50, at u a. m., in the
Fourth Church, FOR the purpose: First, to
hear the report OF the committee: second. to
consider the request OF Rev Adolps Allen
for the dissolution OF his pastoral rela-
uon ana any business pertaining thereto
The committee further recommended to
the session Jhc adoption or an order for a
COngrcga iunal meeting. to be held Friday,
January 81 at Z: 80 p. H.. for the purpose
First. To famy the agreement be-
tween the session ard trustees and Rev.
AdOlos Allen as 10 ttie pa ymeni OF his sal
arg TO October !, 1896.
Second To consider and act upon the
Request Gf Rev. A dolcs Alien TO unite with
him in requesting the Presbytery to dis
solve the pastoral relations now existing
between him and the First Church"
After u pleasant meeting the conference
was adjourned with prayer.
"Presumng that the Presbytery may see
its way clear To dissolve the relation OF Rev.
AdoloS Alien as co-pa stor of the First
unanimous Judgment OF the committee that
IL is incumbent on the Presbytery at this
time. ana in the light OF passing events. tn
make clear and observation-disclosures On
the questions which have been referred TO IL
for adjudication, according to the provi-
sions OF the constitution OF the Presbyterian
church.
THE TRUSTEES INTERFERENCE.
1T is but simple Justice TO say in this
connection that, when learning of the in
ny NuN vi liuSlNts W hu
the presbyterially constituted pastoral re-
latioD. the session. in an official communi
cation, indi cnantly resented such inter
ference as not only disCrderly and without
constitutional authority, but also an un-
warranted assumption OF power belonging
To- the Pres.ytery and to be exercised only
with its consent and approval.
The trustees We're further admoDiShed
by tue session to leave the spiritual interests
OF the church TO its exclusive care and
control and TO desist from pursuing meth
ods which We're subversive OF constitutional
order and prejudicial to the harmony or
the CHURCH. Were IL not for the fact that
thls action OF the session. combining sound
Presbyterian In W with convincing reason
ing, is largely of local application. the COM
mitiee would adopt II FORTS own and recon-
mend IL 10 the PreshytcTy for its adoption.
As II is, however, the nigh constitutional
ground taken by the session is worthy OF
special CommcDddtiOn, and We are conf
dent that, If the timely AID wholesome ad-
mUnitions given Dy 1t to the trustees had
been needed, much, if not all, of the diff
Guilty Subsequently experienced might have
been avoided.
:'But As a matter OF IA Ct which is much
to be regretted, hardly week had elapsed
before-at 4 joint meeting of ind; ;vidua nIem-
bCrs OF the board of trustees and of the ses-
sion--it was formally resolved to repeat
the disorderly attempt to deprive one of the
pastors of lis constitutional right and priv
ilege TO preach The Word.
Hence the greater necessity for Pres
tO tiliputslZS HDiit OI lDtst
mental principles which involve our form
of government and discipline. especially
those provisions which clearly and dis
tinctly set forth the functions OF the office
of trustees.
Therefore, passing by the necessity for
faithful fulfillment OF any obligation
assumed by cUngrera tion to its pastor
financial or otherwise-a proposition IN
vulving principles of only ordinary hon
esty-the committee recommends that the
Presbytery embody It's views in the fol-
lowing delverance, TO wit:
THAT when minister is Installed pastor
OF a church, one, if not the principal,
duty imposed upon him is 10 preach the
Word according to his publicly declared
promise to be faithful and diliGent in the
exercise of the public duties of his office
the congregation also promising to re-
ceive the Word OF Truth from his mouth
with meekneSs and love Consequently
there is no IN wfully cuDsi ituted power vested
in the trustees of church, or even in a
session, to deprive a pastor of such right
and privilege, which. being part of the
mutual agreement between him and the
people, and ratified by the Prasbytery in
the service OF installation, such depriva-
ton, even if supposed 10 be desirable, can
he effected only with the approval Of the
PreSbytery. Certainly, wherever the iuris-
diction is to be sought, it is a matter
with which trustees, as such, have ahso-
lutely nothing to do.
The committee further recommends to
Presbytery that. inasinuch as trustees are
nowhere recognized in the standards of our
church. it emphasizes the following de-
liverances of the General Assembly con-
cerning the functions Of their office. to-
gether with decisions of the Supreme Court
of the United States when reviewing them.
and call especial attention to them as of
binding authority upon all the churches
under its care, viz:
First. That when a particular church
appoints trustees 1t invests them with only
such powers as will not in any respect con-
travene the principles and the order of the
prns shytn
are restricted TO temporal matters to the
exclusion OF those which pertain to wor-
ship and the spiritual interests of the
church. which are under the control of the
session subject 10 review by the Presbytery.
Second That to trustees are committed
the title and the custody OF the church
property. holding possession or which Tor
the use of the persons:who. by the constitu-
ton, laws and usages OF the Presbyterian
church, are eentitled to thatuse.
Third That as regards the church
building. the Sabbath-sciool and lecture
rooms, the trustees have no right to grant
or withhold the use of either against the
wishes and consent of the session: the au-
thority of which is permanent and final.
Fourth. That trustees have no control
over the music OF a particular church, nor OF
contributions made for benevolent objects,
nor of the times and places of preaching. all
of which. as they pertain to worship. belong
exclusively to the session.
Firth. Nor have trustees the power to
make any change in the pastors salary,
which ca n be lawfully done only by formal
action of the congregation, regularly con-
stituted and with the concurrence of the
Presbytery.
sikh. That in the case OF conflict as
reea rds the relative authority OF trustees
and sessions, especially when the consti-
tutional rights and privileges of pa stor are
involved, redress should be sought by ref
erence or complaint to the Presbytery.
A TIMELY EMPHASIS.
1.-THE foregoing provisions of our system
OF government and discipline are so obvi
onsly important and their observance is so
essential TO the preservation of peace and
harmony that, in the Judgment OF your COM
mittee, The emphasis OF them by the Presby.
terry would be timely, ms we'll as beneficial
to all the churches uu nder its care.
'.And, otJeying the Apostolic Injunction.
Let all things be done decently and in Or
DER and faithfully observing the estab-
lished principles and requirements of our
Presbyterian standards, according to our
ordination VOWS as ministers and elders,
we may hope to see our churches confirmed