The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-20
An ELDER RESIGNS HIS OFFICE.
Mr.. william Harden's Letter 10 the
First Presbyterians.

The First Presbyterian church held a
congregational meeting after the morning
services yesterday for the purpose Of ap-
pointing delegates 10 the meeting Of the
Savannah Presbytery to be held in the lee
ture room Of the church next Thursday
morning at IL o'clock.
The particular feature OF the meeting,
however. was the resignation Of Mr.. VIM.
Harden as an elder Mr.. Harden's resigna-
ton was rendered TO the elders, or session
as IL is known. but en- account Of its ma
ture the elders had it read to the congre-
cation. Il is as follows:
Savannah, Jan. 6. 1856. To the Session Of
the First Presbyterian church. Savannah,
Ca Dear Brethren: Believing that have
in the words Of our form Of government,
become unacceptable in my official capac-
ity to a majority Of the church which 1
serve" / now ask for dissolution OF the
relation existing bowen the First Pres
byterian church and myself as a ruling
elder, and request that you take imme-
date action in this matter. Very truly
yours. VIM. Harden"
This was rather a surprise to the congre-
cation. 1t was the outcome OF the sermon
Of DR.. l.. c. Vass several Sundays ago in
which it was considered he
rather strongly critisad the elders on ap-
count of their communication TO him ask
ing him to resign. The elders considered
the action Of the congregation in request
ing Dr. Nass TO withdraw his resignation
after that sermon by a vote OF lUl 10 3d.
was to a certain extent an Endorsement Of
those criticisms made upon them and that
was the reason for Mr.. Harden's resigna-
ton, the wording OF which under these
circumstances is readily understood.
Mr.. II. +. Train, one of the elders, stated
that he was not aggrieved over the vote
asking Dr.. Nass to remain, but he did
feel that DIT. Nass' remarks were severe
and unwarranted. He said practically
that he had felt very much the same as
Mr.. Harden did.
Dr. Vass. who was present as moderator
of the meeting, then made statement,
explaining that his sermon was due only
TO the desire to set himself right before
his congregation and the people generally.
He expressly stated that he did not intend
to criticise anyone any further than was
necessary in defending himself, and that
he did not intend to offend or hurt the
feelings of anyone. II he had done so he
said he regretted IL very much, as 1t was
far from his intention.
Mr.. John Nicolson, Jr., moved that Mr..
Harden be. requested TO withdraw his res
ignatiOn. but after some discussion, he
withdrew that motion and offered the
following resolution. which was unani-
mously passed:
THAT this church, in its recent vote
upon the resignation of our pastor, did not
thereby intend TO pass judgment on the
acceptablity of the session Of this church.
but now expresses its fullest confidence
in that body"
Mr.. Hardens resignation was thus sent
back TO the session and that body will
ask him to reconsider and withdraw IT,
since this resolution controverts the state
ment given as the cause of his making IT,
The delegates chosen to represent the
church at the meeting of the presbytery
Thursday are Messrs. Charles M Gibbs
from the congregation, w. J. Thompson
from the deacons and William Harden
from the elders. The alternates are
Messrs. l.. +. White from the congrega-
ton, John Nicoson, Jr., from the dea-
cons and J. =. Way from the elders The
meeting OF the presbytery is for the pur-
pose Of considering the resignation of
Dr. l.. c. Nass, whose request to dissolve
the relations between himself and the
church is now before that body.