victed, unanimously, (with a single dissenting voice on the second charge) of the following charges preferred against him by a committee of Presbytery, on the ground of common fame, and sustained by oral and documentary testimony at great length, viz. 1. Unchristian and unministerial conduct. II. Intentional misrepresentation. III. Slander. Under the first charge, there were three specifications, one of which was sustained. Under the second charge there were originally nine specifications, but one was withdrawn, a good deal of diversity of opinion existed as to some of these specifications; some votes were given in the negative, and others were recorded non liquet, but the general charge was sustained. Under the third charge there were at first eight specifications, but two were withdrawn. The Presbytery thereupon came (with four dissenting voices) to the following decision in the case. The Presbytery, before proceeding to express their ultimate decision in this case, deem it proper to record their regret that they were laid under the necessity of proceeding in the absence of the accused; but this necessity having been imposed by himself, the Presbytery think that he has no cause for complaint. And further they do judge and determine that his conduct, first in abruptly leaving the court; secondly, in twice refusing to accept the Presbytery's invitation to him to return, together with his reasons for refusal; and thirdly in prosecuting his defence in the public papers while the Presbytery were engaged in investigating charges against him, on matters contained in the previous part of that defence, is, in a high degree, contumacious. The Presbytery also judge, that notwithstanding the abscence of Mr. M'Dowall, the evidence being in great part documentary, and derived from his own publications, and the witnesses being well known as christians of unblemished reputation, and their testimony perfectly concurring in all material points, the merits of the case have been, on the whole, fairly exhibited. Therefore, on the ground of the preceding decisions, and of the charges which have been sustained against him, the Presbytery resolve, That the said John R. M'Dowall be, and he hereby is, suspended from the exercise of all the functions of the gospel ministry, until he shall give satisfactory evidence of repentance in the particulars of which he has been convicted. THE CASE OF MR. TRUAIR.-Extract from the Minutes of the Presbytery of New-York, at their session Oct. 12, 1831.-Whereas the Rev. John Truair has been guilty of conduct utterly inconsistent with the rectitude and purity of the Gospel ministry, and has been convicted thereof, after a patient investigation of the charges, during which and subsequently he has been furnished with every opportunity and facility of self-vindication; whereas the said John Truair has renounced the authority and contumaciously denied the right of his co-presbyters to sit in judgment on his conduct; whereas the Presbytery for the cause and after the investigation aforesaid, and at their sessions in November, 1830, did suspend him from the functions of his office, admonishing him at the same time, that they should feel themselves constrained to adopt further measures in his case, unless he gave evidence of repentance; and, whereas the Presbytery after having appointed a committee to correspond with Mr. Truair, and solemnly and affectionately exhort him to a due sense of his wickedness, and having waited with great forbearance, and in vain for some indications of conviction in their fallen brother; Therefore, resolved unanimously, that John Truair, of the Presbytery of New-York, and now a resident in West Hampton, Massachusetts, be, and he hereby is deposed from the office of the Gospel Ministry, and excommunicated from the visible church. 2. Resolved, that a copy of the preceding preamble and resolution be transmitted to Mr. Truair, and also to the Hampton Association, and that the stated clerk of the Presbytery authorize that Association to publish the same. A true copy. Attest, ELIAS W. CRANE. CHARLESTON PRESBYTERY ON SLAVERY.-The following is an extract from the Minutes of Charleston Union Presbytery at their meeting on the 7th April, 1836. With reference to the relation which the church sustains to the Institution of Slavery, and to the possibility of attempts to agitate the question in the next General Assembly, this Presbytery deem it expedient to state explicitly the principles which they maintain, and the course which will be pursued by their Commissioners in the Assembly. It is a principle which meets the views of this body, that slavery as it exists among us is a political Institution, with which Ecclesiastical Judicatories have not the smallest right to interfere: and in relation to which any such interference, especially at the present momentous crisis, would be morally wrong and fraught with the most dangerous and pernicious consequences. Should any attempt be made to discuss this subject, our Commissioners are expected to meet it at the very threshold, and to oppose to the utmost of their power the introduction of any report, memorial, or document, which may be the occasion of agitating this question in any form. And it is further expected that our Commissioners, should the case require it, will distinctly avow our full conviction of the truth of the principles which we hold in relation to this subject, and our resolute determination to abide by them, whatever may be the issue; that may appear that the sentiments which we maintain, in common with Christians at the South, of every denomination, are sentiments which so fully approve themselves to our consciences, are so identified with our solemn convictions of duty, that we should maintain them under any circumstances; and at the same time the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, constitute an imperious necessity that we should act in accordance with these principles, and make it impossible for us to yield any thing in a matter which concerns not merely our personal interests, but the cause of Christ, and the peace, if not the very existence of the Southern community. Should our Commissioners fail of accomplishing this object, it is expected that they will withdraw from the Assembly, with becoming dignity; not willing to be associated with a body of men who denounce the ministers and members of Southern churches as pirates and men stealers, or who co-operate with those who thus denounce them. In conclusion this Presbytery would suggest to their Commissioners the expediency of conferring with the Commissioners from other Southern Presbyteries, that there may be a common understanding between them as to the course most suitable to be pursued at this crisis, and on this absorbing question. And may that wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peacable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, be their guide in managing the important trust committed to their hands. Resolved, That this expression of our views be signed by the Moderator and Clerk-that a copy be given to each of our Commissioners to the General Assembly, and that it be published in the Charleston Observer. E. T. BUIST, Moderator. B. GILDERSLEEVE, Temporary Clerk. 199 Muskingum, Presbytery of. 32 161 162 169 D 299, 331 Children, education of Criticism on the Hebrew word Chasid,. Case of Chamber street church,. 205 Meditation on the religious education of children, 199 .244, 275, 305, 338, 365 Moral influence of Universalism, Church of Rome, doctrines of. 254 Missions, news from. 321 Medical Writers, .... 349 More union,.. Music sacred,. Matthew xxvi. 30, remarks on. 65, 104 118 N 149 168 Nature of christian communion,. 288 News from missions, 213 252 327, 353 350 350 373 381 140 223, 320 Defection of the United Secession Church,. E North Africa and Northern Asia,. Extracts from the memoir of Dr. Payson,. Enemies of the cross,. 193 Original seceders,... 172, 174, 181, 182 Ecclesiastical proceedings, 218, 381 On the investigation of truth, 202 Errors of Dr. Dwight, &c.. 239, 271 Obituary, 224 Eastern China, 287 On hearing the word,. 225 Europe,.. 288 On the nature and extent of the obligation assum- ed in religious covenanting,.... .257 F Oaths, 266 Origin and import of the word Hebrew,. 255 On the observance of sacramental fasts,........ 282 ... 319 |