The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-23
SESSION OF
The SYNOD
montgomery Presbytery Sus-
tanned In Reynolds Case.
HIS DISMISSAL CONFIRMED
The Appeal Heard at Length and Full
Defense Made-Vote Small on Final
Result-Synod Visits StoneWall
jackson Institute.
rspecIa, TO The Times-Dispatch)

Especial to The imes-Dispatch)
ABINGDON, VA, Oct. 22.-Thc third
days session of tho Presbyterian Synod
OF Virginia was opened with devotional
exercises, conducted by Ruling Elder 5.
w. Bonneville, of Fredericksburg. Nearly
the whole day was taken up IN the con-
alteration of an appeal case that came
up from Montgomery Presbytery In this
Presbytcry charges had been made
against Rev. j. Med. Reynolds. He was
tried by the Prcsbytery. found guilty.
and was suspended from tho ministry
and from tho sacramento of the church.
1t was against this Judgment that he
appealed
CHARGES AGAINST REYNOLDS.
There were three charges preferred
against him, as follows:
First Misrepresentation of funds which
had been raised and placed In his hands
by d friend OF the churches which he
was serving. 1t was claimed that the
money was to be used for building a
manse for the church, and that he had
used 1t in building house which was
his own individual property. he claimed
that the money had been given him for
his own personal benefit. and yet that
he had offered to turn the house over to
the church on condition that the church
would reimburse him for the money he
himself had put into 1t, but that this
had been declined by the church. Tho
contention was made. that this money
should have been secured to the church
and that this was not done. and that Mr..
Reynolds showed no Willingness to do
this.
Second charge was that of falsehood.
tI,,y ~ duct ,,ha
coming a minister OF the gospel. The
charge of ialschood was sustained only
by the testimony of one witness. and
Mr.. Reynolds claimed that he had been
misunderstood.
INCREDIBLE STATEMENTS.
The last charge seemed to be based
upon his statements in conversation,
which seemed to be incredible but which
it was maintaped were incredible only
to those who were uniformed In re-
gard to the facts. The whole record z
of the case In the Presbytery. including
the testimony taken there. was read be-
fore the Synod. two hours being taken
UP In the reading. Then Mr. Reynolds
counsel. Rev. W. c. Campbell, D. D..
of Roanoke. was given an hour In which
to present his case. Then the repre-
sentative OF the Presbytery. Rev. j. A.
McMurray. OF Lynchburg, was given an
hour in which TO present the Presby-
tery's side. Then DR.. Campbell was
given fifteen minutes in which to reply.
These gentlemen made fine speeches,
each one presenting his case as strongly
as possible. though without showing or
awakening the least acrimonious feeling.
The roll was then called and the vote
resulted as follows: To sustain the ap-
peal against the Judgment of the Pres
bytcry. sixty-three: to sustain In part,
nineteen: not to sustain, twenty-one A
large number Of members Of the Synod
were absent during some part OF the
time during which the matter was under
consideration, and for this reason were
debarred from voting, and there were
others who were debarred or excused
for various reasons.
This accounts for the small vote.
The matter was then referred to the
judicial committee to formulate the ac-
ton to be taken By the Synod This
will probably be reported to the Synod
for It's consideration tomorrow.
STONEWALL JACKSON INSTITUTE.
This afternoon the Synod was invited
to Stonewall Jackson Female Institute.
n, school under the control of Abingdon
Presbytery. and OF which Miss Kate
Hunt Is principal.
Tho Synod was there treated to
speeches, music By pretty girls. and re.
frcshments
Among the speakers were Judge Hat
ton and Judge Page, on behalf OF the
Institute. and responses were made BY
the moderator of Synod. Rev. A. NJ.
Frazer, D. D.. DIR. j. P. Smith. DR.. r. II.
Fleming. Rev. j. B. Bittinger, and Gov
ernor ] Hoge Tyler.
Tho exercises were thoroughly enjoyed
by all present.