The herald., 1897-08-14
HE WILL GO
DR.. Chichester Free to
Leave for Chicago
PRESBYTERY RELEASES HIM
RESOLUTIONS OF REGRET AT HIS
DEPARTURE
PRESBYTERY RELEASES HIM
By Unanimous Vote the Presbytery
Rescinds It's Former Action.
The Vacant Pulpit

The Los Angeles presbytery met yes
terday morning in Emmanuel church to
take final action in the matter Of the
call by the presbytery in Chicago to DR..
w. ]. Chichester, and although much
reluctance was manifested and the
wrench was apparent, they finally de-
cided by unanimous vote to accept the
inevitable, and relinquish the pastor who
has been so closely associated with
them for nine years
Rev. Finley S. Laverty presided as
moderator, and w. S. Young acted as
clerk. Letters were read from the Chi
cago presbytery in which the need of
Chicago for Mr.. Chichester was pre-
sented by arguments and resolutions.
A paper in which a formal statement
of the entire situation was made was
adopted by vote, first in sections, and
then as whole. First, the motion that
presbytery rescind its action of July
22d, which refused to let Mr.. Chichester
go, was passed; second, that his pastoral
relations with Emmanuel church be dis
solved, the dissolution to take effect at
once, also passed, and DR.. Chichester
accepted; third, that he be dismissed
to the presbytery of Chicago and.
fourth, that Rev. Mr.. Colmeryl be ap-
pointed to preach at Emmanuel church
September 18th. and at that time to de-
clare the pulpit vacant. and to act as
moderator for the session.
All these resolutions, put separately
and seconded, were given unanimous
vote, and finally the whole paper having
been passed upon in the same manner,
Moderator Laverty announced that the
pastoral relations between Emmanuel
church and w. J. Chichester were finally
and fully dissolved, not because the Los
Angeles presbytery acknowledged any
superior in that of Chicago or elsewhere.
but because DR.. Chichester still retains
the conviction that 1t is his duty to
go, and it is now question between
the pastor and God, the Father.
Following is the paper in full as it was
read and acted upon:
1.-The presbytery of Los Angeles, while
not changing its feeling Of affection and
appreciation for the Rev. w. ]. Chiches-
ter. d. D., nor conceding any abatement
of its sense of loss in the removal from
its work of one who has been so fully
and so Loyalty connected with all its vital
interests-especially as touching home
missioners higher Christian education,
the maintenance of due regard and obe-
dience to church authority, and particu
larly as a pastor of its largest church,
by divine blessing the seal of his own
jealous work, and while knowledging
his loyal subsection to his brethren in tn 2
Lord by obediently acceding to their de-
cision; yet would the presbytery recog- |
nize, also:
"First-The rights of individual cor
science. God alone is Lord of the con-
science. Our dear brother has con-
stantly asserted that he believed the |
call to Chicago was the call of God to
him, and this even after the largely at
tended and earnest congregational meet
Ing of July 21st past. Note in particular
his letter to the presbytery on the morn
ing of July 22d.
"Second-The rights of the First Pres
byterian church of Chicago to- be heard |
orderly and officially in the matter, in
order that we may endeavor to see the
work and field of our common Lord and |
Master as one, in which the workers
are shifted here and there as the Lord |
has need Of them, and not as one in
which our local needs are chiefly in |
view; and
ment in receiving further light testi-
mony and providential indications;
therefore would the presbytery, cordial |
ly and sincerely bidding him Godspeed,
grant the request of the Rev. w. ]. Chi |
chester, .. d. The request is formally |
united in by the session OF the Emmanuel. |
and does hereby dissolve the pastoral re-
lation which has existed so pleasantly
for these years between him and the
1mmaunel church of Los Angeles and
grant him a letter of dismission to the
presbytery of Chicago, that he may pro-
ceed there and accept the call to the
First Presby yterian church of Chicago.
"In doing this be it resolved, that the
presbytery of Los Angeles places on rec
ord its testimony OF sincere affection
for DR.. Chichester as a brother beloved
In the Lord, one sound in the faith and
ardent in his love for our beloved church.
and in severing these tender ties it lose 3
an earnest. faithful, evangelical and able
preacher of the Word, a conscientious
and jealous presbyter and the Imman-
uel church an affectionate and sympa-
thetic pastor, an indefatigable worker
md loyal friend. And may God con-
tinue to bless him, as in the past
Unanimously passed by presbytery
OF Emmanuel Presbyterian church, Los
Angeles. Cal, Aug. 13, 1897.
''W. S. YOUNG, Clerk"
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BALENsI WANTED IN FRANCE