212. Columbus Nov. 1848. Columbus Nov. 24 1848. Synod being in Session, Hopewell Presbytery met at the Call of the Moderator, and was opened with Prayer. Present R. Chamberlain, Moderator - S. K. Talmage D.D. F. Bowman; H. Safford; R. Hooker, F. R. Goulding, & E. P. Rogers, Ministers, with Nathan Holbrook, Athens, and Benj. Hsll Augusta Elders. Rev. Richard C. Ketchum presented a certificate of dismission from the Presbytery of Charleston, and a recommendation to this body. After a satisfactory [recommendation] examination he was received as a Member of this Presb. Jules Delaunay made request in writing to be dismissed from this Presb. to put himself under the care of the Charleston Presb. His request was granted, & he was recommended to the Charleston Presb. as a Licentiate in good standing. The committee on the Narrative made a report which was adopted & sent to the Synod. Wm. H. Thompson, a Licentiate, was received under the care of this Presb. on certificate of Dismission & recommendation from the Flint River Presb. It was determined to hold an adjourned meeting of Presb. at Lincolnton, on Saturday before the 2nd Sabb. in March next, for the purpose of ordaining Brother Thompson, according to a petition received from the Lincolnton Church. Adjourned to meet in Lincolnton on Saturday before the 2nd Sabb. in March at 11. Oclock A.M. Closed with Prayer - R. Chamberlain Moderator Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. 213. Lincolnton March 1849. Lincolnton, March, 10th - 1849. Saturday 11 Oclock A.M. Presbytery met, and was opened with Prayer. Present J. W. Reid, G. H. W. Petrie, H. Safford, and E. P. Rogers, Ministers, with Robert Fleming, Elder. Brother Petrie the last Moderator present took the chair. Brother Rogers was appointed temporary Clerk. Presbytery proceeded to the examination of Brother Thompson for Ordination. - He was examined on Experimental Religion - his motives for desiring the holy office of the Ministry On the Greek, Latin & Hebrew Languages - Natural & Moral Philosophy; on Natural & revealed Theology, Church History, Ecclesiastical Polity - & the Sacraments. He read a sermon on the Divinity of Christ, from I John 5:20. This is the true God and Eternal Life All these parts of trial were sustained. The way being clear, Presbytery determined to ordain him, sine titulo, to morrow, at the class of the morning service. Brother Petrie was appointed to preach the Ordination Sermon; Br. Reid to preside & put the constitutional Questions, & offer the ordaining Prayer, & Br. Safford to give the charge to the Evangelist. Presbytery took a recess until Sabbath morning 11. Oclock - At that time the ordination service took place - according to appointments and Brother Thompson was, by Prayer, and with the laying on of the hands of the Presb. solemnly ordained to the holy office of the Gospel Ministry. The right hand of fellowship was given, & he took his seat as a member of Presbytery - [*Thompson Ordained.*] Adjourned tom meet in Macon on Thursday before the third Sabb. in April at half past &. Oclock P.M. Concluded with Prayer. G. H. W. Petrie Moderator Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. 215. Macon. Thursday, April 12. 1849 Presbytery met. A sermon was preached by Rev. E. P. Rogers from Ez. III. 17. After public worship Presbytery was opened with Prayer. Present F. Bowman, J. W. Reid, F. R. Goulding, R. Hooker, W. P. Gready, E. P. Rogers, R. M. Baker, & W. H. Thompson [& G. H. Cartledge], Ministers; with Joseph Bryan, from Mount Zion, John Cunningham, from Greenesboro, John J. Gresham, from Macon, E. L. Newton, from Athens, & Wm. M. Boggs from Sandy Creek, Ruling Elders. Absent A. Church D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. S. K. Talmage D.D. R. Chamberlain, J. W. Baker, C. P. Beman, G. H. W. Petrie, H. C. Carter, H. Hendel, W. Baird, H. Safford, R. C. Ketchum, & H. Newton. After the Roll was completed Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning half past eight Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning half past 8 Oclock. Presbytery met & was opened with Prayer. Rev. E. P. Rogers was chosen Moderator. The Minutes of the last stated & subsequent meetings were read and confirmed. Messrs R. M. Baker, Goulding, & Bowman, gave satisfactory reasons for absence from the last stated meeting. Messrs Hooker, Thompson & Gresham, were appointed a committee on the devotional exercises of the congregation & of the Presbytery. Rev. J. F. Lanneau of the Charleston Presbytery and Rev. Thomas L. Hamner of the Presbytery of the District of Columbia, being present were invited to sit as corresponding members. Messrs Goulding and Bryan were appointed a committee on the minutes of Synod. Letters were received from Messrs Church and Hoyt, assigning reasons for absence which were sustained. Brother Hoyts request for an adjourned meeting was put on the Docket. 216 Macon April 1849. The following committees of review were appointed, viz. On the Session Book of Athens, Reid & Bryan; on that of Greenesboro; Goulding and Gresham; on that of Augusta, Hooker and Boggs; on those of Salem and Sandy Creek, Baker and Cunningham; on those of Lincolnton and Thyatira, Gready and Newton; on those of Ebenezer and South Liberty, Thompson and Bryan; Onthat of Macon Houlding and Newton; on that of Monticello, Reid and Newton. Messrs Gready and Newton were appointed a committee on the Narrative, and it was made the order the day for this afternoon immediately after recess to have the free conversation on the state of religion. Brother Chamberlain was appointed to attend the Examination of the Students in the Theological Seminary. The Treasurers Report was presented, and referred to Messrs Cunningham and Newto to be audited. A recess was taken until three Oclock. Friday afternoon three Oclock. Presbytery met. The order of the day was taken up, viz the free conversations, and it was gone thro With Brother Safford appeared in Presbytery, and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness - Brother Chamberlain communicated satisfactory reasons for his absence. Rev. Messrs Branham & Marshall of the Methodist E. Church, being present, were invited to sit as corresponding members. Brother Hamner, Agent of the American S. S. Union, addressed the Presbytery on the subject of his agency. _ and Brother Lanneau addressed 217 Macon April 1849. the body on the subject of Foreign Missions. After these addresses the following Resolutions were adopted, viz. I Resolved, That the safety of our country depends upon the universal religious Education of the people; and that in this view it is a matter of the deepest interest to every citizen that all our children and youth should be brought under the influence of Sabbath School instruction. II That this Presb. regards the Am. S. S. Union with high satisfaction as eminently adapted to promote the intellectual and moral culture of the nation, and to perpetuate our republican and religious institutions, and to unite Eminent national prosperity with pure morals. [*Am. S. S. Union -*] III. That this Presb. has heard, with sincere gratification, the statements of our Brother Hamner, the Agent, relative to his labors in the South, and to the S. S. Union generally - The Presb. is gratified also to know that his labors among children, are instructive, pleasing, & highly useful in imparting religious truth; and this body cheerfully recommended him to the favorable and kind reception of the churches and families within our bounds. The committee to whom the Treasurers Report was referred reported that the account was correct. The report was adopted. The committee on the minutes of Synod reported that there was nothing in them requiring the action of Presb. A Petition was received from Ebenezer Church requesting Presb. to ordain Brother Cartledge as an Evangelist. It was docketed. [*Petition.*] The committees of review on the Session Books of Macon, Augusta, Athens, South Liberty, Ebenezer, Lincolnton, Thyatira Salem, Sandy Creek, Greenesboro, and Monticello, recommended the approval of them respectively. The reports were adopted. Adjourned until to morrow morning half past eight Oclock _ Concluded with Prayer. 218. Macon April 1849. Saturday morning half past eight Oclock. Presb. met and was opened with Prayer. William S. Hurd, Elder from Monticello, appeared and took his seat. The following contributions were received for the Commissioners fund, viz, Salem 10.00$ Madison 5.00 Athens 50.00, (paid to Brother Hoyt) Mount Zion 10.00 - Monticello 5.00. Thyatira 10.00, Sandy Creek 3.72. Lincolnton 5.00. South Liberty 3.00. Macon 30.00 Greenesboro. 10.00 Ebenezer 2.00, Lexington 2.00 for 1848. Brother Goulding, Minister, & Brother John J. Gresham, Elder, were appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly; - and Brother Reid Minister, and Brother John Cunningham, Alternates. Rev. Mr. Myers of the Methodist E. Church, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Presb. took up the Petition from the Ebenr. Church, and determined, provided the way be clear, to ordain Brother Cartledge at the next stated meeting of Presb. Rom. V. 1. was assigned to him for a sermon. [*Cartledges Ordination determined on.*] The following Resolution was unanimously adopted viz. That this Presb. Entertains a very high Esteem of the labors and success of Brother Safford in the service of the Am. Trace Society, and Would earnestly recommend him to the affections and cooperation of the benevolent generally, believing that the interest of this great and important cause in the State of Georgia cannot be committee to better harness. [*Tract So. Br. Safford*] It was determined to the next stated meeting of Presb. at Bethany on Thursday before the fourth Sabb. in September next at 11 Oclock A.M. Charles B. Kind, a Licentiate of the Cherokee Presb. asked leave to labor in our bounds. Leave was granted. Presbytery took up Brother Hoyts request 219 Macon April 1849. for an adjourned meeting for the purpose of licensing Thos. A. Hoyt. Presbytery, considering that the Examination and licensing of candidates for the holy ministry is the most important business, that it ever performs; - considering farther that adjourned are usually very thinly attended, and that the next stated meeting will not be long after the candidate will have returned from the Seminary, it was deemed inexpedient to hold the proposed adjourned meeting. [*Request for an adjourned meeting, not granted -*] Presbytery heard the written parts of trials of James L. King, viz _ Latin Exegesis, Critical Exercise, Lecture and Sermon, all of which were sustained. A recess was taken until three O clock. Saturday afternoon three O clock - Presbytery met. Brethren Safford, Reid and C. B. King were appointed to supply each one Sabb. the Pulpit of the Commissioner to the General Assembly, during his absence. Messrs Bowman and Cunningham were appointed to consider what reduction can be made in the present Assessment for contingent expenses, and report to the next stated meeting. [*Reduction of Assessment*] The Executive committee of Domestic Missions made their Report which was approved. The present Committee were reappointed. Thanks were voted to the citizens of Macon for their kindness & hospitality to the members of Presb. The Committee on the Narrative made a Report which was adopted. Presbytery adjourned to meet at Bethany on Thursday before the fourth Sabb. in September next, at 11 Oclock A.M. Concluded with Prayer, & the Apostolical Benediction. E. P. Rogers, Moderator Francis Bowman S. Clerk. 221 Bethany, Thursday, September 20, 1849 11 Oclock A.M. Presb. met. The Moderator being absent, a sermon was preached by S. K. Talmage D.D. from Heb. XII. 1. after which the session was opened with Prayer. Present, N. Hoyt D.D. R. Chamberlain, H. Safford, S. K. Talmage D.D. W. Baird, J. W. Reid, R. M. Baker, W. P. Gready, and H. Newton, Ministers _ with Alexander King, of Bethany, Saml. Groves of Newhope, Daniel Kilian of Madison, D. K. King of Concord; James McDonald of New Lebanon, and William B. Johnson of Greenesboro, Elders. Absent, A. Church D.D. F. Bowman, F. R. Goulding, J. W. Baker, C. P. Beman, G. H. W. Petrie, R. Hooker, H. C. Carter, H. Hendel, E. P. Rogers, & R. C. Ketchum. Rev. W. Baird was chosen Moderator, and S. K. Talmage temporary Clerk. A recess was taken until half past 2 Oclock - Afternoon half past 2 O'clock - Presb. met. A letter was received from J. W. Baker, assigning reasons for absence which were sustained. The Brethren Talmage, Chamberlain, Baird & Newton gave satisfactory reasons for their absence from the last stated meeting. J. W. Reid, N. Hoyt, and A. King were appointed a Committee on the religious Exercises of Presb. Drs. Hoyt, & Talmage, & E. L. Newton, were appointed a committee on the Minutes of the Genl. Assembly. Messrs Chamberlain & Kilian were appointed a Committee on the Minutes of Synod. Thomas A. Hoyt read his Lecture, which was sustained as a part of trials. An sit sanctus Spiritus, Deus? Was assigned to R. W. Milner for a [critical Exercise] Latin Exegesis, and the first 4 verses of the 8th Chapter of Romans for a Critical Exercise. [*Milbers parts of Trial.*] It was made the order of the day for to morrow morning nine Oclock to examined the candidates for Licensure, and the candidate for ordination. 222 Macon April 1849. John Rice Bowman, a Graduate of Princeton College, & a Member of the Greenesboro Church, was introduced to Presb. to be taken under its care as a Candidate for the Ministry. After a satisfactory examination on experimental religion, and his motives for desiring the ministry, he was received. The first ten chapters of the Confession of Faith were assigned to him; An sit poena seclatoum simpiturna, was assigned for a Latin Exegesis; & the first five verses of the fourth Chapter of Galatians, for a critical Exercise [*J. R. Bowman received.*] [*Parts assigned.*] Presb. adjourned until nine O clock to morrow morning. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning nine Oclock. Presb. met, and was opened with Prayer. The minutes of the last sessions, which were not here yesterday were read and approved. Messrs Rogers, Ketchum, and Goulding, [and] rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. The order of the day was taken up, viz, the examination of candidates. The Committee on the Minutes of Synod made a Report, which was noticed on the Docket. A recess was taken until two Oclock. Friday afternoon two Oclock. Presb. met. The Rev. Mr. Thornton of the Baptist Church, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. The Executive Committee of Domestic Missions made their Report, which was approved. The examination of the Candidates was resumed. The candidates were G. H. Cartridge for ordination, and T. A. Hoyt, and James L. King, for Licensure. - Their examination on the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew Languages [*Candidates Examined*] 223. Bethany September 1849 on Theology, on the Arts and Sciences, and on Church History was sustained. Cartledge and Hoyt were examined on the Sacraments, and Church Government - This was also sustained. [*Sustained -*] It was made the order of the day to hear the trial Sermons of Messrs Cartledge and Hoyt to morrow morning at 8 Oclock, before the public congregation. [*Sermons -*] The Commissioner to the General Assembly made his Report, which was approved. Messrs Thompson, Ketchum, and E. L. Newton were appointed a committee on the Narrative. Presb. adjourned until to morrow morning eight Oclock. Closed with Prayer. Saturday morning eight Oclock. - Presb. met, and was opened with Prayer. According to the order of the day, Messrs Cartledge and Hoyt preached their trial Sermons, which were sustained. Homer Hendel appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Porter Fleming, Elder From August, and D. E. Darden Elder from South Liberty appeared and took their seats. Having sustained all the trials of Messrs Hoyt and King, their licensure was made the Order of the day for to morrow afternoon. All the trials of G. H. Cartledge having been sustained, it was determined to have the Ordination service to morrow afternoon at half past two Oclock - Brother Baird was appointed to preach the Ordination Sermon, and Brother Rogers to give the charge. Messrs Cartledge, Groves, and McDonald were appointed a committee to organize a church at Cold Water, in Elbert County. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presb. in Madison on Thursday before the third Sabbath in April next, at 11 Oclock A.M. [*Next stated meeting.*] 224 Bethany, September 1849. The Report of the committee on the minutes of Synod was taken up. It appeared that but two Elders from this Presbytery were present at the opening of the last Sessions of the Synod. After some discussion on the Report, a recess was taken until half past two Oclock. Saturday afternoon half past 2. Oclock. Presb. met, and resumed the consideration of the Report on the Minutes of Synod, when the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted. Whereas, the subject of the attendance of ministers and Elders at our Synodical and Presbyterial meetings has been acted upon by the Synod of Georgia, and an expression given of its judgement, as to the Duty [? the] of Ministers and Churches in this matter; - and Whereas it is recorded in the Minutes of Synod, that at its last session only two of the 28. Churches in this Presbytery were represented at The opening of the Session; therefore [*Attendance of Ministers & Elders on Ecclesiastical meetings.*] I. Resolved, That this Presb. regards it as equally the imperative duty of Ministers and Elders to attend promptly and punctually our Ecclesiastical meetings, and regrets the this obligation seem to be so little felt by some of our Ministers, and many of our Elders. II Resolved, That in future, in ease of the absence of Ministers, and of Elders, who may be appointed to attend, shall be deemed worthy of special censure, unless excused by the Presbytery. III Resolved, That if the Stated Clerk find it inconvenient in consequence of ill health, to copy the minutes to be presented to the next meeting of Synod, he be requested to employ some good scribe to copy them. [*S. Clerk -*] The Committee on the Minutes of the Genl. Assembly made a Report which was adopted, and is as follows - viz. 225 Bethany September 1849. Resolved, That the recommendation of the General Assembly, relative to the fund for the support of superannuated Ministers, and the indigent widows and children of deceased ministers, be adopted by this Presbytery. [*Support of superannuated Ministers etc.*] Brethren Goulding & Thompson obtained leave of absence. Brethren Reid and King were appointed a committee to confer with Brother J. R. Dow to ascertain whether he wishes to be considered still under the care of Presbytery. [*J. R. Dow.*] The Committee on Assessment was continued, and ordered to report during the meeting of Synod. Presbytery had a free conversation on the state of Religion - A Resolution of thanks was adopted for the kindness and hospitality of the community. Presbytery then adjourned until to morrow afternoon, half past two Oclock to perform the [sevices] services of Ordination & Licensure. Closed with Prayer - Sabbath afternoon 2 ? O Clock - Presbytery met. The ordination sermon was preached by Brother Baird. Brother Cartledge, having satisfactorily answered the prescribed questions, was solemnly Ordained to the full work of the Ministry, as an Evangelist, by Prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. The right hand of fellowship was given a charge was given to him by Brother Rogers - and he then took his seat as a member of Presbytery. [*Ordination of Cartledge - Sept. 23 - 1849*] Thomas A. Hoyt, and James L. King, were licensed to preach [to preach] the Gospel as Probationers - [*Hoyt & King licensed -*] Brother T. A. Hoyt asked for a dismission to put himself under the care of Harmony Presb. His request was granted - and he is affectionately recommended to that Presb. as a Licentiate in good standing. [Hoyt [& King licensed] dismissed*.] Adjourned to meet in Greenesboro during the Sessions of Synod at the call of the Moderator - Closed with Prayer. Washington Bair, Moderator Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. 226. Examined and approved at the Sessions of the Synod of Georgia, at Greenesboro Octr. 1849. N.. A. Pratt Moderator - John S. Wilson Stated Clerk - 227. Greenesboro October 26. 1849. The Presbytery was called by the last Moderator present, during the meeting [of the meeting] of the Synod, October 1849 - and was opened with Prayer. Present S. K. Talmage D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. P. Chamberlain, F. Bowman, H. Safford, C. P. Beman, R. Hooker, H. Newton, W. P. Gready, H. Hendel, E. P. Rogers, R. M. Baker, W. H. Thompson, R. C. Ketchum, Ministers, with J. Cunningham, A. King, J. Bryan, Elders. The committee on assessment reported and recommended that the assessment on the Churches be reduced 33& 1-3 percent, The Report was adopted. The Treasurer was directed to pay John R. Dow, the amount of his expenses in attending the General Assembly in 1846. Matt. 7:13, 14 were assigned to J. R. Bowman for a Sermon, and I John 3:1. 2. 3. for a Lecture. Rev. J. U. Parsons presented a Dismisson from the Flint River Presbytery, with a recommendation to this body. He was examined and received. A certificate of dismission of Charles B. King a Licentiate of Flint River Presb. with a recommendation to this Body, was presented, whereupon he was received under our care. Presbytery then adjourned to meet in Madison on Thursday before the third Sabbath in April next at 11. Oclock A.M. Closed with Prayer. C. P. Rogers. Moderator Francis Bowman. S. Clerk. *I was at This meeting, but my name seems to be omitted by the Clerk. G. H. Cartledge 229. Madison. Thursday, April 18. 1850. 11 Oclock A.M. Presbytery met. A Sermon was preached by Rev. W. Baird, the Moderator, on Deut. 32: 9-12. After divine service the Session was opened with Prayer. Present, N. Hoyt, D.D. F. Bowman, H. Safford, J. W. Reid, F. R. Goulding, J. W. Baker, G. H. W. Petrie, R. Hooker, H. Hendel, E. P. Rogers, W. Baird, R. M. Baker, W. H. Thompson, Ministers. with Roswell Hulverty Greenesboro, Wm. A. Correy, Bethany; Thos. J. Windsor, Milledgeville; E. A. Nisbet; Macon, and C. W. Richter, Madison Elders. Rev. F. R. Goulding was chosen Moderator. Messrs R. M. Baker, Richter, and Nisbet were appointed a committee on the devotional Exercises of the Congregation and of the Presbytery. A recess was taken until half past two Oclock. - Thursday afternoon half past 2 Oclock. Presb. met. The Minutes of the last stated meeting, and of the adjourned meeting, were read and approved. Wm. Turk of New Lebanon and Archibald McDonald of Hebron appeared & took their seats. Messrs Bowman, Petrie, and Hooker, rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last stated meeting. Brother Talmage gave reasons in writing for absence from this meeting where were sustained. John R. Bowmans Latin Exegesis, was presented and referred to Messrs Reid and J. W. Baker. His Critical Exercise was read and referred to Messrs Hooker, Petrie and R. M. Baker. Rev. Mr. Jevin of the Baptist Church, and Rev. Mr. Allen of the Methodist E. Church, being present, were invited to sit as corresponding members. E. P. Rogers, Minister, and Benj. Hall, Elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Genl. Assembly; and Henry Safford, Minister, and E. L. Newton, Elder, were appointed Alternates. H. Carter, and G. H. Cartledge appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Matt 13: 24-30. was assigned to Mr. Milner for a Lecture, and John 3:18 was assigned to him for a sermon. 230. Madison April, 1850. The committee appointed to confer with John R. Dow to ascertain whether he wishes to continue under the care of the Presb. as a candidate for the Ministry, reported that he does wish to continue under its care; and that he expects to prosecute his studies. E. L. Newton, Elder from Athens, and A. J. Harwell, Elder from Mount Zion, appeared and took their seats. The following Committees of Review were appointed; viz. Thompson and Correy on the Records of the Greenesboro Church; Safford and Hulbert on those of Augusta; Reid and Newton on those of Macon; Rogers and Turk on those of Washington; J. W. Baker and [those of] Richter on those of Athens; Petrie and Harwell on those of Milledgeville, Thompson and McDonald on those of Bethany; Baird and Correy on those of Thyatira; Carter and Windson on those of Madison; Hoyt and Nisbet on those of Mount Zion; R. M. Baker and Hulbert on those of New Lebanon. Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning nine O clock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. The Committees of Review on the Records of Athens, Mount Zion, Augusta, Greenesboro, Madison, Bethany, New Lebanon, and Thyatira, reported and recommended that the Books respectively be approved. The Reports were adopted. The Committee on Devotional Exercises, recommended that this service be held to morrow afternoon at three Oclock in the following order, viz. 1 Hymn by Moderator; 2. Prayer by Br. Reid, 3. Address by Br. Hoyt. 4 Prayer by Br. Petrie. The Treasurers Report was presented and was referred to Messrs Harwell and Turk. 231 Madison April 1850. Rev. W. Baird presented a request from W. P. Gready to be dismissed to join the Flint River Presbytery. Brother Gready was accordingly dismissed and recommended to the Flint River Presbytery, as a member in good standing. The Committees to whom the Latin Exegesis and Critical Exercise of J. R. Bowman were referred reported, and recommended that they be approved as parts of trial. The reports were adopted. Letters were received from Brethren Church and Ketchum, assigning reasons for absence from this meeting which was sustained. It was made the order of the day for this after noon at half past two Oclock to have the free conversation on the State of Religion, and Messrs Petrie, J. W. Baker and Windsor were appointed a committee on the Narrative. Messrs Baird, Hooker, and Nisbet, were appointed a Committee on Bills and Overtures. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting at Mount Zion on Thursday before the 2nd Sabbath in October next at seven O clock P.M. The following contributions were made to the Commissioners Fund, viz. Washington $13.00, Macon 33.30. South Liberty 3.55. Madison 3.00. Newhope 3.00. Ebenezer 1.00, Athens 33.35. Hebron 2.00 Bethany 5.00, Milledgeville 10.00, Greenesboro 10.00 Salem 7.00, Mount Zion 10.00, New Lebanon 3.00 Sandy Creek, 4.50, Thyatira 5.50. Messrs Safford, Hendel and Turk were appointed a committee on the Minutes of Synod. A Communication was received from the Session of the Church in Columbus, informing Presb. that Chas. B. King is supplying that church, and requested this Presb. to ordain him sine titulo. It was determined to take measures for his ordination during the present sessions. Psalm 111:9 was assigned to Br. King for a sermon as part of trials. 232. Madison, April 1850. The committee on Bills and Overtures reported Overtures No 1, 2, and 3. Overture No 1 was taken up. It is as follows: Can a stated supply and one Elder try delinquents? The following answer was given, viz. 1. Every ordained Minister is by virtue of his ordination, competent to sit, judicially, in any Ecclesiastical body of which he is a member. [*Overture. The Stated Sup.*] 3. The inference from Chap. 9 Sec. 2. that when, in any church, there is only one Elder, the stated supply, with such Elder constitutes a proper tribunal, before which to take up and issue cases of discipline. Overture No 2. was taken up and is as follows, Viz. where, in any church, there are cases calling for discipline, but in that church there is no Minister and only one Elder, what action should be taken in such cases? Answer. Upon information being duly communicated to Presb. of said state of things, it becomes the duty of Presb. under whose care said Church is, to constitute a session pro tanto, by delegating one of its Ministerial members to proceed to the place and, by the regular steps, to bring such offender to trial. Overture No 3. was taken up, and is as follows viz. Is it lawful for Ministers, Elders, Missionary Boards, and private members, to be Stockholders in those Corporate Companies that violate the Sabbath? The following Answer was adopted viz. The desecration of the Sabbath by incorporated companies, in pursuit of ordinary business on that day, for profit, is sinful, and profoundly to be deplored; and it is the duty of Ministers, Elders, and other members of the Church, holding stock in such companies, to make strenuous and persevering efforts to prevent such desecration. 233. Madison, April, 1850. Presbytery proceeded to the examination of Brother King for Ordination. He was examined on Experimental Religion, Theology; Ecclesiastical History; Church government and the Sacraments, all of which was sustained. The hearing of his trial Sermon was made the order of the day for half past ten Oclock tomorrow morning. The Committee on the Minutes of Synod reported that there was nothing in them requiring the attention of Presbytery. Presbytery adjourned until half past eight Oclock to morrow morning. Closed with Prayer. Saturday morning 8 ? O clock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Wm. P. Gready appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Presbytery had a free (conversion) on the state of Religion within our bounds. Brother King preached his trial sermon and it was sustained as a part of trials. It was then determined to ordain him to morrow afternoon at three Oclock. Brother Rogers was appointed to preach the Ordination Sermon; Brother Bowman to preside, [and] put the constitutional Questions, and offer the ordaining Prayer; and Brother Hoyt to give the charge. J. Lawrence King presented, in writing, a request to be dismissed, to put himself under the care of the Flint River Presb. He was dismissed accordingly, and recommended to that Presb. as a Licentiate in good standing. The committee of review on the Records of the Macon Church reported the following exceptions in the Trials of Miss Jane Irvin. 1st It does not appear from the Records that previous 234. Madison, April, 1880. to communicating prosecution, there was any compliance with the injunction of our Saviour, Matt 18: 15. 2nd The witnesses in the case were admitted in a Body, and hear each others testimony. 3rd The testimony of each was not, after being reduced to writing, read to the witness, nor the inquiry made whether that was his or her testimony. 4th. The Record in the case is defective. The admissions of the parties show that the full testimony, and the whole action of the Session, do not in all cases appear. The first three your committee regard as irregularities, to which exceptions should be taken. The 4th is a neglect, injurious at once to the parties, and to the court of review before which the case must come. Still your committee are not prepared to say that these irregularities and grounds of exception, vitiate the proceedings so as to affect the result of the trial. They however believe that there are peculiarities in the temperament, and diseased state of Miss Irvin, as also in several circumstances of the case, as should mitigate, in measure, the severity of the sentence. They, Therefore, recommend that Presbytery request the Session to restore her to her former standing in the Church, so soon as, in their judgement, the spirit, by her manifested, shall render such restoration proper. The Report of the committee was adopted, and the Session was directed to enter it on their minutes. With the foregoing exceptions, the Records were approved. R. M. Baker was appointed to supply the pulpit of the Commissioner to the General Assembly on the 2nd Sabbath in May; F. Bowman the 3. G. H. W. Petrie the 4th; F. R. Goulding the 1st in June. The Ex. Committee of Domestic Missions made their semiannual Report which was approved, and referred to Messrs Hooker and Carter. Presbytery at three oclock engaged in devotional Exercises. 235. Madison, April, 1850. The devotional exercises being concluded business was resumed. The Committee to whom the Report of the Executive Committee of Do. Missions was referred, reported the following Resolutions which were adopted, viz. I. Resolved, That it be recommended to Parent Board to commence, under the supervision of the Ex. Com. the work of Missions to the colored people in our bounds, [so] as far and as fast, as the field shall be opened by Providence, and suitable men can be provided for the work. II. Resolved, That it be, hereafter, a standing vote to appoint some one to preach, at the fall meeting of Presb. on the subject of Domestic Missions. Brother Petrie was appointed to preach on this subject at the next fall meeting. The Treasurer was directed to pay to the Commissioners to the Genl. Assembly, such sums as may be necessary to defay their expenses. The following Resolution was unanimously adopted viz. That this Presb. feels the deepest conviction of the importance of disseminating the doctrines of the Christian faith as they are presented in the Publications of the Assemblys Board, throughout our state, and that we tender a cordial welcome to the Rev. Mr. Mahon, the Agent now labouring among us, in the prosecution of the objects of the Board of Publication. The following minute was adopted viz, Whereas, information has been received by this Presb. that there are cases requiring discipline in the Danielsville Church, and that there is but one Elder, and no Pastor, or stated supply in said church; Therefore, Resolved, That H. C. Carter be appointed to go to Danielsville, consto= a Session, and take up and issue all cases demanding discipline. The committee on the Narrative, made a report which was adopted, and the Narrative was ordered to be forwarded to the General Assembly. 236. Madison April 1850. Presbytery took a recess until tomorrow afternoon; three Oclock, the time appointed for the Ordination of Brother King. The Presb. met at the hour appointed, three Oclock Sabbath afternoon. Brother Rogers preached the Ordination Sermon. The candidate having answered, in the affirmative, the Constitutional Questions, he was, with Prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, ordained to the whole work of the Gospel Ministry. A solemn charge as given to the Evangelist and he took his seat as a member of Presbytery. [*Ordination of Bro King.*] At his own request, Brother King was dismissed to join the Flint River Presbytery, and was recommended to that Presbytery as a member in good standing. [*Dismissed, to join Flint River Presbytery.*] Presbytery then adjourned to meet in Mount Zion on Thursday before the second Sabbath in October next, at seven oclock P.M. Concluded with Prayer and the Apostolical Benediction. Francis R. Goulding, Moderator. Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. 237. A pro re nata Meeting. A special meeting of Presb. was called by the Moderator, according to the provision of the Constitution, at the request of the Rev. E. P. Rogers who wished to bring to the notice of Presb. various reports which were circulated in Augusta, inju= to his character. This meeting was held, agreeably to the Call in the Lecture room of the Presbyterian Church in Augusta on Tuesday the 2nd day of July 1850, at 9 oclock A.M. The following members were present, viz. A. Church D.D. S. K. Talmage D.D. R. Chamberlain. F. Bowman, F. R. Goulding R. M. Baker, H. Hendel, E. P. Rogers, W. H. Thompson, Ministers; with John Cunningham, of Greenesboro; Benj. Hall of Augusta; Wm. L. Mitchell of Athens, and Francis F. Fleming of Lincolnton, Elders. The Session was opened with Prayer. A statement was made by Br. Rogers, of the reasons which had induced him to request this special meeting. His statement was, in substance, that his attention having been called to certain rumors current in the city of Augusta, calculated to injure his reputation and impair his usefulness as a Christian Minister - rumors appearing to be Founded upon certain repeated expressions of opinion highly unfavorable, to his character, tho containing no specific charge, from a prominent individual in this city, he deemed it to be his duty to call the attention of the Presb. to the subject, in order that, thro their investigation, he might be fully exonerated from censure. The Session of the Church were then called upon to communicate such facts as has coe to their knowledge, in regard to the rumors aforesaid, They stated that they had used great diligence in tracing their origin 238. Augusta, July, 1850. and could find no source from which they could have arisen, except the expressions of [opi] unfavorable opinion on the part of the individual above referred to. They also stated that, in their opinion, no credence was given to these rumors, and that they could not affect injuriously the reputation of Brother Rogers, nor impair his usefulness in this congregation. A call was then made by the Presb. on the members of the [members of the] congregation present for any communications which they might choose to make in reference to the subject under consideration. The Hon Charles J. Junkins then arose and stated that the remarks which he had to make referred to the expressions of opinion highly unfavorable to the Rev. Mr. Rogers, which had emanated from the individual already referred to, and who was understood to be Col. Wm. Cumming of this City, and that for the sake of being perfectly understood, he had committed to writing his remarks, and with the permission of Presb. he would lay before it, the following statement. To the Moderator and Members of Hopewell Presb. sitting at Augusta, July 2nd 1850. Impelled by a ardent wish to promoe the ends of truth and justice, desiring the preservation of social and individual tranquility, and privileged (as he hopes) by circumstances which have connected him with the subject matter under consideration, the undersigned respectfully craves permission to present to this Ecclesiastical Tribunal the following Paper: Having an abiding confidence in the innocence of the Rev. gentleman, who was sought on this mode a benediction from imputations cast upon him; and a no less settled conviction that the author of those imputations could never have made them unless deceived by misrepresentations, or [by] misled by delusion appearances, I determined, they consenting, to become the organ of communication between them, the medium, thro when whatever of 239. Augusta July 1850. misunderstanding, of mistake, might exist, should be corrected without unnecessary publicity or painful excitement. Accordingly, in a spirit of candor, and a just conception by each of what was due to the other, the communication proceeded, and aided by other information, happily accessible, led to the result which it is my pleasure to offer for your consideration. Having been furnished by Col. Wm. Cumming with a description of an incident by him unfavorable to the character of Mr. Rogers. I submitted it for the consideration of the latter. Mr. Rogers promptly recognized the incident referred to, and authorized me to say, that upon a careful review of the particulars presented, he perceived, as he had not done before, and admitted, that the appearances were such as to the apprehension of Col. Cumming, uninformed of their attending circumstances, might seem to warrant the suspicion of an improper design on his part. At the same time he insisted that a thorough knowledge of the facts would have vindicated him, not only from the imputation of improper act, but even from that of impudence. Col. Coumming, after a candid consideration of additional facts, brought to his knowledge, made the following statement: Wm. Cumming thinks that he was fully justified, as the time, in regarding the appearances referred t, as furnishing grounds for a most unfavorable opinion of Mr. Rogers. But justice now requires him to state, that he has recently obtained (not from that gentleman) an exposition of circumstances, which renders those appearances entirely compatible with the innocence of Mr. Rogers. To make this known, Wm. Cumming considers not less due to his own character, than to the other party. With this exculpation, voluntarily furnished as above stated by the gentleman from whom emananted the imputation referred to, I cannot suppose that this Presbytery, convened at the instance of a 240. Augusta, July, 1850. Clergyman affected by them, for an investigation, would desire a detail of circumstances, in my opinion properly withheld, when not demanded for the purposes of justice. Nor is it believed that a just and generous public will feel any prurient curiosity concerning an incident of no moment whatever, except as having excited suspicious, now happily removed. Since the vindication of the only party suspected, has been obtained, it were wanton cruelty to make public reference to others, needing no vindication. Upon this subject I have to say, for Mr. Rogers, that while he did not ask that the facts be withheld from the public, and would not desire it from considerations personal to himself, he, nevertheless, for the cogent reasons above alluded to acquiesces in that course. This is all that duty to the parties requires of me; and here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But in view of the information obtained, in virtue of my confidential position, and of the sacred relation subsisting between one surrounded by circumstances so peculiar, and the many who worship statedly in this temple, may I not presume a little further on the kind indulgence which has granted me a hearing? With, I trust, a sufficiently exacting estimate of clerical purity and propriety of demeanor, I have subjected the conduct of Mr. Rogers - as exhibited in all the facts ascertained and carefully collected - to a severe scrutiny; and I solemnly affirm, that I can perceive no shade of culpability, no ground of even the mildest consure. And if my reverend friend and pastor will pardon the liberty, I will add my humble testimony, that his whole conduct and bearing, while passing thro this trying ordeal, having strikingly are beautifully illustrated the character of the Christian minister. Respectfully submitted by Charles J. Jenkins. 241. Augusta, July, 1850. The following was appended to the foregoing paper: I have examined the within statement, purporting to have been made by me, and hereby verify it. E. P. Rogers - July 2. 1850. I have examined the within statement, purporting to have been made by me, and hereby verify it. Wm. Cumming. July 2. 1850. No further communications being offered, Presb. appointed Messrs Church, Talmage, Chamberlain, Cunningham, and Mitchell, a Committee to bring in a minute on the subject, and then took a recess until half past 5 Oclock P.M. At that time the committee made the following Report: The committee have directed their attention, first, to certain vague rumors which have been recently in circulation in the City of Augusta, injurious to the Christian Character of brother Rogers; and, secondly, to the reported expressions of opinion, by Col. Wm. Cumming, unfavorable to him, but containing no specific charge against him. As to the rumors referred to, your committee after careful consideration, can see in them nothing which calls for further investigation, or which can injuriously affect the reputation, or disturb the peace of Brother Rogers. As regards the opinions expressed by Col. Cumming, your Committee having examined the paper this day presented by Mr. Jenkins, are of the opinion that it clearly and fully exonerates Brother Rogers from all unfavorable imputations. Putting that matter in the strongest possible light against him, it would amount simply to this, that there were appearances, which, while unexplained, were such as were calculated to excite in the mind of Col. Cumming, injurious suspicions; and who is there occupying any public station, who is 242. Augusta July, 1850. not, at some time, exposed to this peril? It is enough to say, that information subsequently obtained, not from Mr. Rogers, but from other sources, changed the character of those appearances, and made them entirely compatible with his innocence, in the opinion of Col. Cumming himself. Your committee are happy in the belief that the inquiry, which has been instituted, affords abundant assurance that the confidence of the Church and Congregation in Brother Rogers, is in no way impaired, and that, as his character cannot suffer, so his usefulness will not be diminished. Your committee recommend the adoption of the following Resolutions: I. Resolved, That in the judgement of this Presb. there is no ground for any charge against the Rev. E. P. Rogers, and that there is nothing affecting his Christian character, or which is likely to impair his usefulness; and that we fully and cordially exonerate him from all censure. II. Resolved, That the paper, presented by Mr. Jenkins, be entered on the minutes of this Body, and that it be published in connection with this Report. The Report, having been read and considered, was unanimously adopted. This called meeting was then closed with Prayer. Francis R. Goulding Moderator. Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. 243. Mount Zion, Thursday October. 10. 1850. Presb. Met. 7 Oclock P.M. A Sermon was preached by the Rev. F. R. Goulding, the Moderator, on II Cor. V. 20. After Public worship, the Session was opened with Prayer. Present. A. Church, D.D. N. Hoyt, D.D. R. Chamberlain, F. Bowman, F. R. Goulding, C. B. Beman, H. Newton, W. Baird, R. C. Ketchum, R. M. Baker, G. H. Cartledge, Minister; - with A, H, Harwell, of Mount Zion, W. B. Johnson, Greenesboro, James Norwoord, New Lebanon; John M. Alexander, Hebron, David McClusky, Concord, Joseph B. Long, Newhope, John Creighton Sandy Creek, Ruling Elders. Rev. R. C. Ketchum was chosen Moderator. The reading of the Minutes were deferred until to morrow morning. Messrs Bowman, Church and Harwell were appointed a committee on the devotional exercises of the Congregation. Presb. adjourned until to morrow morning, nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. The Absentees were S. K. Talmage, H. Safford, J. W. Reid, J. W. Baker, G. H. W. Petrie, R. Hooker, H. C. Carter, H. Hendel, W. P. Gready, E. P. Rogers, H. U. Parsons, and W. H. Thompson. Friday Morning, Nine Oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Brother Safford appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. The Minutes of the last stated meeting, and of the Pro re nata Meeting, were read and confirmed. R. Chamberlain, C. P. Beman, and H. Newton rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last stated meeting. Rev. John F. Lanneau, of the Cherokee Presbytery, and Agent of the Assemblys Board of 244. Mount Zion Oct. 1850. [Board of] Foreign Missions, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. A letter was received from Brother Gready, assigning reasons for absence from this meeting which were sustained. He also informed Presb. that he feels still unprepared to avail himself of the dismission that was granted him, as he is not sure of remaining long in his present field do labor; and says that he thinks it better to hold his connexion with this Presbytery until he feels himself more permanently settled. It was, therefore Resolved, That the Dismission of Brother Gready be, and it hereby is, revoked. It appeared that the Committee which was appointed at the last meeting to visit the Danielsville Church, had not, for reasons, which were stated, performed that service. The same Committee was Continued. Messrs Baker, Chamberlain and Johnson, were appointed a committee on the Minutes of the General Assembly. The Free Conversation on the state of Religion in our Bounds, was made the order of the day, for this afternoon at half past three Oclock. Messrs Goulding, Beman, and Norwood were appointed a Committee on the Narrative. Brother Lanneau was requested to address the Presb. on the subject of Foreign Missions, to morrow morning at 10 oclock. Edwin Wiley, Elder from Mount Zion took his seat as Principal, in the place of Brother Harwell the Alternate. A recess was taken until half past 2. Oclock. Friday half past 2. P.M. Presbytery met. Myles G. Harris, Elder from Sparta appeared and took his seat. 245. Mount Zion. October 1850. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery in Milledgeville on Wednesday, the 16. Day of April next at 7. Oclock P.M. Presbytery entered on the order of the day for three Oclock, viz. the free conversation on the state of Religion and went thro with it. E. L. Newton one of the Commissioners to the General Assembly, made a report which was approved. His expenses were $89.65. Brother Church obtained leave of absence after the sessions of today. Robert W. Milner, and John Rice Bowman Candidates for Licensure were examined on the Languages and on the Arts and Sciences. It was ordered that J. R. Bowman preach his Popular Sermon to night at 7. Oclock. Brother Petrie, who was appointed to preach on the subject of Domestic Missions, not being present, it was determined to have several addresses made on the subject to morrow at 11 oclock, and Brethren Goulding, Baid and McClusky were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangement. A recess was had until seven O clock. At that time J. R. Bowman preached his trial sermon. Mr. Milner, after the public worship, read his trial sermon. Paul Davidson appeared, an Elder from South Liberty; and took his seat. Presb. Adjourned until tomorrow morning nine oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Saturday morning nine o clock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Mr. Milner read his critical Exercise. J. R. Bowman read his Lecture. Milners Latin Exegesis was referred to Messrs Cartledge and Goulding. He read his Lecture. The committee on the minutes of the Assembly made a Report which was put on the Docket. 246. Mount Zion. October 1850. S. K. Talmage appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. At ten oclock Presb. was addressed by Brother Lanneau in relation to Foreign Missions. At 11. oclock the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Do. Missions made a verbal statement relative to the doings of that Committee which was received instead of the semiannual Report in writing. After that, several addressed were made to the Congregation which produced a very happy Effect. A recess was taken until half past 2. oclock. Saturday, P.M. half past 2. Oclock. The Candidates for Licensure were examined on Natural and Revealed Theology, and on Ecclesiastical History. The Committee on the Narrative made a Report which was adopted, and the Narrative was ordered to be forwarded to the Synod. The committee, to whom Mr. Milners Latin Exegesis was referred, recommended that it be sustained The recommendation was adopted. All the parts of trials, and the several examinations of these Candidates were sustained, and it was determined to License them to night after public worship. A recess was taken until after public worship to night. Saturday night Presbytery met. John Rice Bowman and Robert W. Milner, having exhibited all the parts of trial, and having been examined on all the subjects, required by our Form of Government, Hopewell Presbytery expressed its approbation of all these parts of trial; and they having adopted the Confession of Faith of this Church, and having satisfactorily answer the Questions appointed to be part to Candidates to be licensed, the Presbytery [*Licensure of Milner and J. R. Bowman*] 247. Mount Zion October 1850. did, and hereby does license them, the said John Rice Bowman, and Robert W. Milner, to preach the Gospel of Christ as Probationers for the the Gospel Ministry, within the bonds of this Presb. or wherever else they may be orderly called. The Report of the Committee on the Minutes of the Assembly was taken up and adopted, as follows: viz. In view of the recommendation of the Assembly to Presbyterians to take measures to have our congregations supplied with the Confession of Faith. Resolved, That this is a matter of vast importance, and that it be enjoined on all our Pastors, and on the Elders of vacant Churches, to take speedy and effectual measures for ascertaining who among the members of our Churches are destitute of this work, and for having them supplied. [*Resolution ? Supply of families with Confession of Faith*] The following minute was adopted. Resolved, That it be recommended to all the members of our Churches and especially to heads of families, to subscribe for the Home and Foreign Record, and also for the Foreign Missionary, which is designed especially for children in the family and Sabbath School. They are both published monthly. The first at fifty cents a year; the other at 12 ? cents, or 20 copies for 2.00. Adjourned to meet in Augusta during the Sessions of the Synod, at the Call of the Moderator. Closed with singing, Prayer, and the Apostolical Benediction. Richard C. Kitchum, Moderator. Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. Examined and approved at the 6th Session of the Synod of Georgia. Nov. 23rd 1850. James C. Patterson Moderator. 248 Augusta, Monday, Nov. 25. 1850, the Moderator called the Presbytery together, and there being no business it adjourned to meet in Milledgeville, according to previous appointment, on Wednesday the 16. day of April next at 7. oclock P.M. Closed with Prayer. Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. 249 Milledgeville April 16. 1851, Wednesday 7. Oclock P.M. Presbytery met. Rev. E. P. Rogers, the last Moderator Present,preached a sermon on Rom. 10: 3, 4. For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their our righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God: for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. After public worship the Session was opened with Prayer. Present, N. Hoyt D.D. S. K. Talmage D.D. H. Safford, F. Bowman, J. W. Reid, Richard Hooker, H. C. Carter, E. P. Rogers, R. M. Baker, J. U. Parsons, G. H. Cartledge, Ministers; with E. L. Newton of Athens, Joseph Bryan, of Mount Zion, John J. Gresham of Macon and B. P. Stubbs of Milledgeville, Elders. The Election of Moderator was postponed until to morrow morning, nine Oclock, to which time Presbytery adjourned. Closed with Prayer. Thursday morning nine Oclock Presbytery met, and was opened with Prayer. Rev. N. Hoyt was chosen Moderator. The minutes of the last sessions were read. Brethren Rogers, Reid, Hooker, Carter & Parsons, rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last stated meeting Brother Baird and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. The Rev. Mr. Daniell of the Baptist Church, being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member The following standing Committees were appointed viz. On devotional Exercises, Talmage, Reid and Stubbs. On the Narrative, Rogers, Safford, & E. L. Newton. On Bills and Overtures, Talmage, Carter and Greshman. Judicial Committee, Baird, R. M. Baker, & Bryan. The Treasurers Report was presented, and referred to Newton and Gresham. A Communication was received from [the Do-] Committee of Domestic Missions of the Cherokee Presbytery expressing the thanks of that Presbytery for the Aid which has been granted them from our Missionary funds, and stating their need of continued aid. It was referred to the Georgia Domestic Missionary Society. 250 Milledgeville, April 1851. The free conversation on the state of Religion was made the order of the day for to morrow morning, 11 Oclock Presbytery was informed that it is the purpose of the Assemblys Board of Domestic Missions to publish as Presbyterian Ecclesiastical Map of the United States, and Territories, and that they wish to have the Boundaries of Presbytery as correct as possible, and, therefore, desire the aid [of the aid] of the Presbyteries. This matter was referred to the Stated Clerk. R. M. Baker, Minister, and B. P. Stubbs, Ruling Elder were appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly. H. C. Carer, Minister, and John Cunningham Ruling Elder were appointed Alternates. Brother Parsons was directed to supply the Pulpit in Madison on the second Sabbath in May; Brother Hoyt on the third, and Brother Rogers on the fourth Sabbath. ` Messrs Safford, Hooker, and E. L. Newton, were appointed a Committee on the Minutes of Synod. The Committee on Bills and Overtures, reported Overture No. 1. The following Committees of Review were appointed, viz. on the Records of Athens, Cartledge and Stubbs; on those of Augusta Parsons and Reid; on those of Milledgeville, Rogers and Gresham; on those of Macon, Carter and Bryan; on those of Sandy Creek, Baker and Newton; on those of Newhope Baird and Safford, on those of Salem, Hooker and Gresham. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning nine Oclock. Presbytery met, and was opened with Prayer. The Committees of Review reported, and the Records were approved respectively The following contributions to the commissioner's fund were made in Presbytery. viz. 251. Milledgeville April, 1851. Mount Zion, 7.00, Athens 34.00 Macon 34.00. Newhope 3.00; Ebenezer 1.00, Bethany 7.00, Sandy Creek, 3.00, Salem 7.00 Greenesboro 10.00, Madison 5.00. Washington 15.00. Milledgeville 10.00, Sparta 10.00. The Presbytery urges the churches who have not sent up their contributions to this meeting to forward them soon to the Treasurer of Presbytery, Porter Fleming, of Augusta. J. W. Baker appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. The order of the day. viz, The free conversation, was taken up and gone thro with. The Rev. J. L. Kennedy of the South Carolina Presbytery, and the Rev. Thomas L. Hamner of the Presbytery of the District of Columbia, being present, were invited to sit as corresponding members. The following Resolutions were adopted viz - I That it be a standing Rule of this Presbytery, that Inquiry be made annually of our churches as to the promptness and fidelity with which they discharge their pecuniary engagements to their ministers. II. That a Committee be appointed who shall prepare a Report on this subject to be presented at the next meeting of Presbytery. Messrs Hoyt, Rogers, Gresham, & Newton were appointed the committee under the above Resolution. The Committee on the Synodial Minutes reported that there was nothing in them requiring the Action of Presbytery. The Committee to whom the Treasurers [Report] account was reported, reported that they find from the entries and vouchers, that the account is correct leaving a balance of ninety Dollars in the hands of the Treasurer. They find however that many of the Churches fail to send up the full amount of their assessments; and they would call the attention of the Ministers & Elders to this fact, and request that they be more particular, hereafter to see that each Church does its duty. The Report was adopted. A recess was taken until three Oclock. 252 Milledgeville April 1851. Friday afternoon three oclock. Presbytery met. C. P. Beman appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, D.D. of the third Presbytery of New York City, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. A letter was received from Brother Goulding, assigning reasons for absence from this meeting which were sustained. He also stated that it will not be in his power to act hereafter, as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Domestic Missions. The Chairman of the Executive Committee of Domestic Missions informed Presbytery that he is not able to make a written Report. Brother Rogers made a verbal statement in regard to the action of that Committee which was accepted instead of a written report. The present Committee was reappointed, and Brother Rogers was appointed Chairman. The members of the Committee are E. P. Rogers, Chairman, Benj. Hall Paul F. Eve, John R. Dow, Andrew J. Miller, Porter Fleming, Nathan Hoyt, E. L. Newton, F. Bowman, John Cunningham, R. Hooker, E. A. Nisbet, C. H. W. Petrie. Presbytery as requested to change the name of the Salem Church to that of Woodstock, the Church being at Woodstock. The request was granted and the name changed. [*Church Name Changed*] It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery at Newhope on Wednesday the first day of October next at 7. Oclock P.M. The Committee on the Devotional Exercises of Presbytery recommended that they be held to morrow afternoon at half-past three oclock, in the following order, 1 Psalmody by Moderator, 2. Prayer by Brother Petrie 3. Scripture and Psalmody by Brother Hooker, 4. Address by Brother Parsons; 5. Prayer by Brother Carter, 6. Psalmody & Address by Brother Stiles; 7 Benediction by Moderator. 253. Milledgeville April 1851. Brethren Chamberlain and Petrie appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for not coming sooner. Overture No 1 was taken up. It is as follows; Is it proper for a Minister of the Presbyterian Church to commence with the body known as the Campbellet Church. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Saturday morning nine oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Brother Petrie presented a request to Presbytery for the dissolution of the Pastoral relation between him and the Washington Church. A communication was at the same time received from the Washington Church, expressive of their deep regret at parting with their Pastor, and also declaring their concurrence in his application for a dissolution of the Pastoral relation. This subject was referred to a Committee, consisting of Brethren Rogers, Chamberlain, and Safford. The Committee on the Narrative made a Report which was adopted, and the Narrative was ordered to be sent, by the Commissioners, to the General Assembly. Brother Stiles, the Special Secretary of the American Bible Society, for the South, made an Address on the subject of his Agency, at this request of Presbytery. Presbytery took a recess until three Oclock. Saturday afternoon, three oclock. Presbytery met. Brother Hamner Agent of the American Sunday School Union, be request, addressed the Presbytery on the subject of his Agency. The following minute was adopted viz - Whereas, the late Census of the State of Georgia, discloses the fact that there is a large number of blind 254. Milledgeville April 1851. persons in this state, for whose Education no proper provisions has been made; therefore I Resolved, That this Presbytery deeply & tenderly sympathizes with this greatly afflicted class, of our fellow beings, and entertains a deep sense of the importance of establishing a permanent Institution for their instruction. II. Resolved, That Presbytery has been highly gratified to learn that Mr. Forisquieu, himself a blind man, educated in the most approved modes of instructing the blind in Philadelphia, and bringing with him ample and high testimonials of character and gratifications, has come into this state, for the purpose of establishing and conducting such an Institution. III Resolved, That Presbytery regards this project with high favor, and commends it to the consideration and patronage of all who have hearts to sympathize with those of our fellow citizens, who are suffering so great a privation. Presbytery spend some time in Devotional Exercises. The Committee, to whom the request of Brother Petrie was referred, made the following Report, which was adopted, viz. Resolved, That we regard the Pastoral relation as a bond of peculiar tenderness and sacredness, not to be lightly formed, nor lightly broken; and that we desire to bear our testimony to its incalculable value as one of Gods appointed means for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of His Son in this ruined world, and our conviction that none but the clearest [convictions] evidence that it is the will of Providence, should warrant its dissolution. Resolved, That we regard the indications of Providence as having been made in this case, and therefore consent that the Pastorak relation between the Rev. G. H. W. Petrie and the Church at Washington be dissolved in the usual form. [*Dissolution of Pastoral relation between Petrie & Washington.*] 255. Milledgeville April 1851. Resolved That in parting with our Brother Petrie as no more to labor with us in this part of the Masters Vineyard, we desire to express the high estimation in which we hold him as a Minister and a man; our deep regret at his leaving is, and an earnest Prayer that the blessing of the Great Head of the Church may follow him and his family to his new field of labor. We rejoice, however, that he will retain his connection with this body, and hope that we may still welcome him to our regular meetings Resolved That we sympathize with the church at Washington in the grief which they have felt, and so well expressed in the sundering of those ties which have bound them to their Pastor, and in the prospect of losing those labors, counsels, sympathies and prayers, which they have profitable enjoyed for thirteen years; and that it is our prayer, that God will soon send them a man after his own heart to go in and out before them, and break unto the bead of life. Adjourned to meet at Newhope Church on Wednesday the first day of October next at seven Oclock P.M. Closed with singing, prayer, & the Benediction Nathan Hoyt, Moderator. Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk 257. New Hope Church. Wednesday Oct. 1st 1851. 7 Oclock P.M. Presbytery met. A sermon was preached by the Moderator on II Cor. 2:16. - After public worship the Session was opened with prayer. Present - A. Hoyt, D.D. - H. Safford. - F. Bowman. - H. Newton. - R. M. Baker. - J. U. Parson. - R. C. Ketchum. Groves H. Cartledge. - Ministers. - with E. L. Newton - of Athens - H. C. Alexander of Thyatira. - David A. King of Concord. - Samuel Grove of New Hope. - and Wm. M. Boggs of Sandy Creek - Ruling Elders. Absent - A. Church D.D. - S. K. Talmage D.D. - R. Chamberlain - J. W. Reid - F. R. Goulding - J. W. Baker - C. P. Beman - S. H. W. Petrie - R. Hooker - H. C. Carter - H. Hendel - H. P. Gready - E. P. Rogers - H. Baird - H. H. Thompson. The choice of a Moderator was postponed until morning. Bros. Cartledge, Parsons and E. L. Newton were appointed a Committee on Devotional Exercises of the Presbytery and the congregation. Presbytery adjourned until morning - 9 oclock. Concluded with prayer. Thursday morning - 9 oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with prayer. Francis L. Upson - Ruling Elder from Lexington appeared and took his seat. Rev. H. Safford was elected Moderator. The minutes of the last sessions were read. Bros. H. Newton - [Reid] - [Baird] - & Ketchum rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last meeting of Presbytery. Letters were received from Bros. Thompson - Baird and Reid - giving reasons for absence from this meeting, which were sustained. Bro. R. M. Baker, one of the Commissioners to the Genl. Assembly - reported that he attended the sessions of that body, and that his Expenses were $61.00. Bro. Cartledge informed Presbytery that he had organized a Church in Elbert County by the name of Pleasant Hill, consisting of 8 members and two Ruling Elders - Daniel M. Johnson and Robert Henderson - [*Pleasant Hill Church*] 258 and that they desire to be taken under the care of this Presbytery. Their request was granted and the assessment for the Commissioners fund was fixed at $2.00. It was determined to have the free Conversation on the state of religion this afternoon, and Bro. Parsons - Hoyt and E. L. Newton were appointed the Committee on the Narrative. Five Dollars were received from the Lexington Church for the Commissioners fund. The subject of the place and time of the next Stated Meeting of Presbytery was taken up and postponed until to-morrow. [morning] Presbytery took a recess until 2 oclock. Thursday Afternoon. 2 oclock. Presbytery met. R. Chamberlain - John E. Caldwell, Elder from Hebron - Daniel M. Johnson, from Pleasant Hill - and James Long from Danielsville - appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Presbytery entered upon the free Conversation on the State of Religion - and went through with it. H. C. Carter and Wm. B. Johnson - Elder from Greenesboro appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at 8 ? oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday Morning 8 ? oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with prayer. Samuel Johnson, Elder from New Lebanon appeared and took his seat. Brethren Ketchum and Wm. B. Johnson were appointed a Committee to review the Record of the Session of New Lebanon Church. Presbytery determined to hold its next stated meeting in Greenesboro on Thursday - April 29th at 7 oclock 259. P.M. The Committee on the records of New Lebanon Church reported and recommended that the records be approved. The Report was adopted. A Communication was received from the Cherokee Presbytery respecing aid from the funds of the Geo. Dom. Miss. Society. It was referred to the Executive Committee of that Society. Presbytery took a recess until 2 oclock. At two oclock Presb. met and there being no business before the body, it adjourned until to-morrow morning at ten Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Saturday morning. 10 oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with prayer. Resolved that the thanks of this Presbytery be tendered to the New Hope Church and Congregation, for their kindness and hospitality to its members. Adjourned to meet in Greenesboro - on Thursday April 29th at 7 oclock P.M. Concluded with prayer and the Apostolic Benediction. Henry Safford Moderator Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. Synod of Georgia at Griffin Nov. 21st 1857 - Examined and approved thus far. John B. Ross - Moderator - 261. A pro re nata meeting was regularly called to consider the application of Brother Hooker for a dissolution of the Pastoral relation between him and the Macon Church. Presbytery accordingly met in the City of Macon, on the 11th day of Feb. 1852. at 7, oclock P.M. Present. Henry Safford, R. Chamberlain, S. K. Talmage D.D., J. U. Parsons, R. Hooker, John W. Baker, Wm. P. Gready, & Homer Hendel Ministers, and Washington Poe Elder, from the Macon Church. The meeting was opened with Prayer by the Moderator. Homer Hendel was chosen Temporary Clerk - Brother Hooker presented, in writing, his reasons for asking the Presbytery to dissolve his Pastoral connexin with the Macon Church, Washington Pow, presented a Paper, adopted by the Church and congregation, in which they express their warm attachment to their Pastor, and their deep sense of the value of his Pastoral labors. They also declare their acquiescence the application of Brother Hooker, and consent to the dissolution of the Pastoral relation. [*Dissolution of relation between Hooker & Macon Ch.*] After due deliberation, it was resolved that the Pastoral relation between Richard Hooker, and the Macon Church shall cease, according the request of the parties, on the first day of May next. Presbytery adjourned, Closed with Prayer singing, and the Apostolical Benediction. Henry Safford Modr. Francis Bowman, S. Clerk - 263. Greenesboro Thursday, April 29, seven O clock P.M. 1852. Presbytery met. A Sermon was preached by the Rev. John W. Baker, on Psalm 119: 89. Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven. After public worship, the session was opened with Prayer. Present A. Church D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. F. Bowman, H. Safford J. W. Baker, J. W. Reid, E. P. Rogers, R. M. Baker, & Groves H. Cartledge, Ministers; - and E. L. Newton of Athens, John Cunningham of Greenesboro, Joseph Bryan Mount Zion, T. Spud of Madison, Benj. Hall of Augusta, and Joseph B. Long of New Hope, Ruling Elders. Absent, S. K. Talmage D.D. R. Chamberlain, F. R. Goulding, C. P. Beman, G. H. W. Petrie, R. Hooker, H. C. Carter, Homer Hendel, Henry Newton, W. P. Gready, W. Baird, J. U. Parsons, W. H. Thompson, R. C. Ketchum. Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning 8 ? O clock. Closed with Prayer. Friday morning 8 ? oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Rev. J. W. Baker was chosen Moderator. The Minutes of the last sessions were read and confirmed. A Church, J. W. Baker and E. P. Rogers rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last meeting. Rev. E. P. Rogers reported to Presbytery, that a Presbyterian Church has been organized in the City of called The Green Street Church, with John R. Dow and Andrew J. Creighton Ruling Elders; & that it asks to be taken under the care of Presbytery - The request was granted, and the Assessment for the contingent fund was fixed at $10.00. [*Organization of Green Street Church*] 264 Greenesboro April 1852. Andrew J. Creighton, Elder from the Green St. Church was present and took his seat. Henry Newton appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. A certificate of dismission of Rev. James L. Rogers, from the Cherokee Presbytery, with a recommendation to this body, was received. After examination, he was received as a member of this Presbytery. Rev. Joseph Mahon, of the New Brunswick Presbytery and Rev. Wm. L. Hughes of the Charleston Presbytery, being present, were invited to sit as corresponding members. A Petition was received from the Madison Church, requesting Presbytery to ordain and Licentiate John Rice Bowman, sine titudo. Presbytery determined to grant their request, and proceeded to examine him on Church Government, The Sacraments, and other subjects until Presbytery was satisfied. Heb 4:15. was assigned to the Candidate for a trial sermon. Presbytery determined, provided the way be open, to have the Ordination service on Sabbath afternoon at 3 oclock. Brother Hoyt was appointed to preach the Ordination Sermon; Brother Rogers to deliver the Charge, and the Moderation to preside, put the Constitutional Questions & after the ORdaining Prayer. Brethren Rogers, Hoyt, & Bryan, were appointed a committee on the Narrative. The following Committees of Review were appointed, viz. Messrs Hoyt & E. L. Newton in the Record of the Augusta Church; J. L. Rogers & Long, on those of Green Street Church; Church & E. L. Newton on those of Madison; E. P. Rogers and Benj. Hall on those of Greenesboro; Safford & Spud on those of Ebenezer; Reid and Creighton on those of Newhope; H. Newton & Hall on those of Athens; Cartledge and E. L. Newton on those of Thyatira; Safford and Windsor on those of Sandy Creek; J. L. Rogers on those of Sparta. 265 Greenesboro April 1852. The Treasurers Report was presented and referred to Messrs Church, Cunningham, & E. L. Newton. H. C. Carter, having removed into the Bounds of the Cherokee Presbytery sent, in writing, a request to be dismissed to join that Presbytery. It was resolved that his request be granted, and that he be, and he hereby is, dismissed, and affectionately recommended to the Cherokee Presbytery as a member in good standing. Presbytery took a recess until three Oclock. Friday afternoon, three Oclock, Presbytery met. The Committees of Review reported and the Records were respectively approved. Francis L. Upson Elder from Lexington, and F. T. Windsor Elder from - Sparta appeared & took their seats. The Committee to whom the Treasurers account was referred, reported that they find the account correct. The Report was adopted. The Executive Committee on Do. Missions made a report which was approved. After which the following Resolutions were offered and adopted: viz. I. Resolved That they duty of supplying the destitute parts of our [our] own field with the preaching of the Gospel is one which is first in the natural order of duty, as well as first in importance; and that as churches and as individuals, we cannot neglect this duty, without proving recreant to our personal obligations to our Divine Savior, and our responsibilities as his professed friends. - II. Resolved, That the Report of the Ex. Committee of Do. Missions on the subject of the amount of contributions from the Churches within our bounds, to this cause furnishes occasion for profound humiliation, and sincere penitence and confession of sin before God, and shows that the standard of zeal and labor is deplorable low, in relation to this department of Christian duty, and 266. Greenesbroo, April, 1852. activity, in most of our Churches. III Resolved, That while we have the fullest confidence in the piety, wisdom, and efficiency of the Board of Domestic Missions, at Philadelphia, and would still continue to aid them in their great and good work, and do not contemplate any separation from them, we are of the opinion that more would be actually accomplished in supplying our own destitutions, if the contributions of our Churches were solicited for and expended first directly our destitute fields. IV Resolved, That, the Ex. Com. be authorized and directed, with the consent of the Board of Missions, to use the funds which are contributed by our Churches, together with such as may be placed at their disposal by the Georgia Do. Missionary Society, in payment of the Missionaries, commissioned by the Board of Missions to labor within our bounds, and thus they be directed to commit whatever funds may remain over and above such appropriations, to the Treasury at Philadelphia, to be used in the general support of their operations. V. Resolved, That the Ex. Committee be appointed to address to the Churches within our bounds a Circular Letter on the subject of Do. Missions, and that it be enjoined on each Session to have such Letter read to the Church over which they are placed in the Lord. VI Resolved That, the Ex. Com. be directed to make an annual Report to Presbytery of all receipts and expenditures and of their doings generally. Rev. Wm. L. Hughes of the Charleston Presbytery asked leave to labor within our bounds. His request was granted. The following contributions to the contingent fund were handed in. Viz. Madison 5.00, Sparta 10.00 Woodstock 8.00, Pleasant Hill 2.00 Ebenezer 1.00, Athens 34.00, Green Street Church 10.00 Lexington 267. for 2 years 10.00. Thyatira 7.00, Greenesboro 10.00, Washington 14.00. A recess was taken until 8 oclock to night. At that time Presbytery met, and heard the trial Sermon of the Candidate for Ordination. The Sermon and the previous examination were sustained as satisfactory parts of trial. Adjourned until to morrow morning 8 ? oclock. Closed with Prayer. - Saturday morning, 8 ? oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Dr. Church and Mr. Hall obtained leave of absence. Presbytery had its free conversation on the state of religion in our bounds. A Recess was taken until 2 ? o clock this afternoon at which time Presbytery met. Presbytery had an interlocutory meeting in which information was given to Presbytery, that there are reports in circulation in Athens, Griffin, and other places injurious to the Ministerial and Christian character of Brother Parsons. These reports seemed to Presbytery to be of so serious a nature, that it was deemed necessary to take some steps in reference to them. It was, therefore, Resolved Drs. Hoyt and Church & Messrs E. L. Newton and Wm. L. Mitchell be at Committee to collect the facts in the case, to confer with Brother Parsons, & to require him to attend the next stated meeting of Presbytery, to make such explanations in regard to these unfavorable reports as may be in his power. If, however, it should, in the judgement of this committee, seem important for the Presbytery to act further in the matter before the time of the stated 268. Greenesboro, April 1852. meeting; or if Brother Parsons, should desire an investigation by Presbytery before that meeting, then this Committee is authorized to ask the Moderator to call a meeting at such time and place as they may designate. Presbytery determined to hold its next stated meeting in Athens on Wednesday the 22nd day of September next at 7. oclock P.M. Rev. John W. Baker, and Nathan Hoyt D.D., Ministers, and Joseph Bryan and Wm. L. Michell Ruling Elders were appointed Commissioners to the next General Assembly. J. W. Reid, & E. P. Rogers Ministers, with T. T. Windsor and John Cunningham Elders were appointed Alternates. The Committee on the Narrative made a Report which was adopted, & the Narrative was ordered to be forwarded to the Assembly. The Hebron Church was reported as delinquent in regard to paying their Minister - and Brother E. P. Rogers was appointed to address a kind letter to the Session of that Church in relation to this matter. A recess was taken until Sabbath Afternoon 3 oclock. At that time Presbytery met & performed Sermon; the Moderator put the constitutional Questions, and their being answered, John Rice Bowman, was solemnly ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry [as an Evangelist], by Prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. A solemn charge was then given by Brother E. P. Rogers - and the newly ordained Minister took his seat as a member of Presbytery. Presbytery adjourned to meet in Athens on Wednesday the 22nd of September next at 7. oclock P.M. Closed with Prayer, singing, and the Benediction. John W. Baker, Moderator Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk - 270. Athens, Wednesday, September, 22. 1852. seven oclock, P.M. Presbytery met. A Sermon was preached by the Rev. John W. Baker, the Moderator, on Matt. V. 20.Ye are the light of the world. After public worship the session was opened with Prayer. Present. A. Church D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. R. Chamberlain, F. Bowman D.D., J. W. Baker, F. R. Goulding, G. H. W. Petrie, Henry Newton, R. M. Baker, R. C. Ketchum, W. H. Thompson, Groves H. Cartledge, J. U. Parsons, and J. R. Bowman, Ministers; with Wm. L. Mitchel, of Athens; D. M. Burns of Thyatira, John E. Cladwell of Hebron, James McDonald of New Lebanon, and John Creighton of Sandy Creek, Ruling Elders. Absent, S. K. Talmage D.D., H. Safford, C. P. Beman, J. W. Reid, R. Hooker, Homer Hendel, W. P. Gready, E. P. Rogers, W. Baird, J. L. Rogers. The Roll being completed, Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning nine oclock. Closed with Prayer. Thursday morning nine o clock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. Rev. G. H. W. Petrie was chosen Moderator. The Minutes of the last meeting was read & confirmed. R. Chamberlain, F. R. Goulding, W. H. Thompson, G. H. W. Petrie endered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last meeting. Brother Gready sent, in writing, reasons for absence from this meeting which were sustained. H. Safford appeared, and gave satisfactory reasons for tardiness Presbytery entered upon the consideration of the Reports in circulation - unfavorable to the character of the Rev. J. U. Parsons. The Committee appointed at the last meeting on this subject, made their Report, which was accepted. It was made the order of the day for to morrow morning, immediately after the opening of the session, to hear Brother Parsons explanations respecting these Reports. A certificate of dismission of the Rev. Daniel McNeill Turner from the Presbytery of South Carolina, with a recommendation to this body was presented, and, & after a satisfactory examination, he was received. 271. Athens September, 1852. Presbytery took a recess until three oclock this afternoon, at which time business was resumed. Joseph B. Long a Ruling Elder from Newhope appeared and took his seat. A Call from the Churches of Hebron & New Lebanon to Groves H. Cartledge to become their Pastor was presented. It was placed in the hands of Brother Cartledge, and he declared his acceptance of it. Presbytery appointed Dr. Church and R. C. Ketchum a Committee to install the Pastor Elect at Hebron on the third Sabbath in October next. [Dr. Church] Bro. Ketchum to preach the Sermon, and [Brother Ketchum] Dr. Church to deliver the charge to the Pastor & the Congregation. Messrs Bowman and Newton was appointed Alternates. A Communication was received from the Church in Chattanooga, Tenn. and it was referred to Messrs Church Goulding, & Mitchell. Mr. Norman Terry was introduced to Presbytery for the purpose of being taken under its care as a Candidate for the Gospel ministry. He was examined on Experimental Religion, and on his motives for seeking the ministry. But Mr. Terry, coming from the bounds of another Presbytery, had not the testimonials which our Form of Government requires in such cases, Cap. 14, Section 2nd - Presbytery, therefore, could not receive him. John Cunningham Elder from Greenesboro appeared and took his seat. Saml. K. Talmage D.D. appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. The free Conversation on the State of Religion was made the order of the day for to morrow afternoon immediately after Recess. John R. Bowman and J. Cunningham were appointed a Committee on the Narrative. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning nine o clock. Presbytery met & was opened with Prayer. Robert Henderson, Elder fro Pleasant Hill appeared and took his seat. 272. Athens. September 1852. Rev. James L. Rogers presented in writing a request to be dismissed to join the Presbytery of Cherokee. Resolved that his be granted, and that he be, & he hereby is, dismissed and recommended to the Cherokee Presbytery as a member in good standing. A Call from the Church in Washington to the Rev. Daniel McNeill Turned to become their Pastor, was received and placed in the hands of Brother Turner. He declared his acceptance of it. Measures were taken for his installation. Rev. B. M. Palmer of Charleston Presbytery was invited to preach the Installation Sermon. Dr. Hoyt was appointed to preside, put the Constitutional Questions, aond deliver the charge to the people; and J. W. Reid was appointed to deliver the charge to the Pastor. J. W. Baker was appointed the Alternate of Dr. Hoyt. The Installation to take place on the first Sabbath in November next. Agreeably to the order of the day, Brother Parsons commenced making his explanations of the Reports to which reference has been made. After making some progress it was suspended. Brother Turner obtained leave of absence - A recess was taken until three oclock. Friday afternoon three O clock. Presbytery met. Alexander Harwell Elder from Mount Zion appeared and took his seat. The unfinished business of the morning was resumed and Brother Parsons proceeded with his explanations. This was, after a while, suspended, and Presbytery entered upon the Free Conversation and went thro with it. Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Saturday morning 9 oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. 273. Athens September 1852. The Rev. Wm. G. Williams of the Georgia Presbytery, being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member - Presbytery took up the unfinished business and Brother Parsons finished his explanations. The whole matter was then referred to a special Committee consisting of Messrs Mitchell, Bowman, and Talmage, to recommend such cause for the Presbytery to take as may seem to the Committee to be most proper. J. W. Baker, Wm. L. Mitchell, & Dr. Hoyt, Commissioners T the General Assembly reported that they attended the Sessions of that body, & that their expenses were, each, $21.00. Their Reports were approved. The Committee to whom the Communication from Chattanooga was referred, made a Report, recommending that a Letter, a draught of which was read, be forwarded to that Church. The Report was adopted and the Committee was directed to sign said Letter & send it. The Committee on the Narrative reported. The Narrative was adopted, & ordered to be forwarded to the Synod. Brother Thompson, Petrie and Goulding obtained leave to labor out of our bounds. The Special Committee in Brother Parsons case made the following Report, which was adopted. viz That after the labored Report made by the Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Presb. and the investigation and the investigation now had before this body touching said Report, and the protracted remarks and comments on the same, by Mr. Parsons, no doubt can be left on the mind of a single member, that it is the duty of the Presbytery to take steps to put Rev. John U. Parsons on his trial. They recommend, therefore, the following Resolution. Resolved, That process be issued against the Rev. John U. Parsons, in the name of Common Fame. And that a committee be appointed to put the charges and specifications in proper form & report to Presbytery at its present sessions, and that the trial take place 274. Athens. September, 1852. The Report was adopted, and Messrs Mitchell, Hoyt and Church were appointed the Committee. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery in Athens on Tuesday before the fourth Sabbath in April next, at 7 oclock, P.M. Dr. Talmage & Mr. Harwell obtained leave of absence. Presbytery adjourned until 10 o clock Monday morning. Concluded with Prayer. Monday morning 10 Oclock - Presbytery met, & was opened with Prayer. The Committee appointed to put the charges against Brother Parsons in proper form, made a Report which was adopted, and is as follows: Public Rumour, which first reached the ears of Presbytery in April last, charges the Rev. John U. Parsons with conduct totally unbecoming a Christian -, and especially a Christian Minister. [*Charges against J. U. Parsons*] Specification I. In the years 1849-1851. Mr. Parsons improperly retained in his hands large sums of money belonging to the Southern Mutual Insurance Company, and made use of them when he aught, in all honesty, to have paid these monies over to the Treasurer of said company. The sums thus retained up to the time when Mr. Parsons was dismissed from his Office, as General Agent, amounted to about three thousand dollars. And as to a very large proportion of this money, probably more than three fourths, Mr. Parsons had never, so far as his own books, & the books of the company show, charged himself with it. In September of 1849 after the Office of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company, had been removed from Griffin to Athens, the Directors of said Company, while examining the Books, as kept by Mr. Parsons, while in Griffin detected numerous errors in his 275. Athens, September. 1852. cash accounts. Mr. Parsons was found to be in debt to the Company beyond what had been reported over $1800.00. The following list of money paid to Mr. Parsons by sundry persons, and which was not accounted for to the Company, at the time of receiving the same, and subsequently ordered, by the Directors, to be charged to him, from Feb. 1857. to 1st April 1852. A. W. Hills Draft for report 1851. $151.49. T. C. Miller paid for premium & policy (No 369 5. Dec. 1849) 13.00 W. M. Morton issued in Dec. 1849. 57.50. Greenwood & Morris 171.65. E. Remmington 58.00 J. E. & H. Thompson 25.00 H. Norton 90.00 W. H. H. White 19.19 Amount received on Sunday open Policies during the year 1851, and not hitherto we counted for, and ordered to be charged to him by the Directors, upon the Report of the Committee appointed to investigated his account. 235.97. Amount received of sundry persons & not charged before 149.60 Premiums received of [sundry] the following persons and not accounted for, were charged to Mr. Parsons in August 1851, to wit. B. R. Gardner, Wm. L. High & Co. A. H. Hapsel, John T. Martin, O. W. Wakefield J. Brownon, and John T. Jackson. 136.79. The following amounts of cash premiums received by J. U. Parsons and have come to the knowledge of the Board of Directors since the first of January 1852 and ordered to be charged to Mr. Parsons. No 1459. Hightower on Transfer Sep. 21. 1849, Sep. 21. 1854 $1000.00 cash premium paid 14.00 This risk was taken by Mr. Nutting, and he says he reported it to Mr. Parsons No 3957. A. W. Cunningham Dec 25. 1849 Dec 25 1854 $200.00 - cash paid 21.00 $1,144.13 276. Athens, September 1852. Witnesses, the President, Mr. A. Hull, and the Directors of the Company, the Secretary, Mr. A. Chase, the Book-keeper, Mr. Wm. F. Bass, and the Books of the Company. Specification II. In December 1849. Mr. Parsons took a risk no property for Wm. M. Morton for one month and reported the same to the Company. In January 1850 he insured the same property for five years from the first date, the cash of which amounted to $57.50. This he did not report. Mr. Chase, two or three times, called his attention to this omission, but still he did not report it, nor charge himself with the cash. About October 1850 Mr. C. F. McCay could not find any Record of this Insurance upon the Register. But some time afterward it was discovered, by Mr. Chase, that Mr. Parsons had interlined and inserted the Insurance in his report of December 1849, but without altering the footing upon the Register, and without charging himself with the $57.50. This money was never charged to Mr. Parsons until about May 1851 Witnesses - C. F. McCay, Wm. F. Bass, and a Report of a Committee of the Company which met on May 5th 1851. Detailed Specifications. III. No. I. Mr. Parsons was grossly and culpably negligent while Secretary in 1848 & 1849, in keeping no full and regular record of cash received and paid out by him for the Insurance Company, and by making out every month the amount of his indebtedness in a complex manner, depending on the cash received by him, & by the Agents; in his and their Commissions, his and their expenses, his and their collections, his and their notes given for cash does, and on their 277. Athens, September 1852. indebtedness to the Company at the beginning and end of the month, he knowingly adopted a mode of keeping his accounts, which, without any check, must almost by inevitable necessity, have wronged the Company. Thus, instead of saying, I have received from A, B, C. & etc. so much money, I have paid out to X, Y, Z. so much, & have on hand [so much] the balance; he reported that A, B, & C. & himself had received so much cash for Insurance, that they were entitled to so much for expenses; so much for commissions; so much for leases; that he had collected so much on bills receivable of the Company; that he had invested so much by taking notes; and that the Agents owed so much at the beginning and so much at the close of the month; & that thus the balance [the] a difference of all these items was due by him. This his account would be got wrong by every omission of his to enter a Policy issued by himself; (and he forgot many:) by every omission to enter a Report of an Agent, (and he omitted several) by omitting to enter any irregular reports of Agents between their usual reports (and he omitted several) by every error in their commissions (& he made many;) by every error in entering the amount paid for Casses, &, as in almost every claim there was some deduction for interest, settlement, Premium etc., (& he made several); by every error in notes taken for cash dues of the Company; (& here he was liable to get a note on the wrong side of The account as he actually did;) by every mistake in the unchecked additions of long columns of all these items of cash premiums, commissions, expenses, losses, dues of Agents & bills receivable. (and very many such errors were made.) Witnesses. C. F. McCay, A. Chase, & their report in September 1849. No II. Mr. Parsons wronged and deceived the Insurance Company by signing himself as Agent for the Oglethorpe University, where he was not Agent. 278. Athens September 1852 by giving the Company a note for the University, and by pretending, where he issued the policy, that the Company had a lien on the property for the note, when he knew this was not so. Witnesses, R. Chamberlain, & E. L. Newton. No. III. Mr. Parsons wrongfully took a note belonging to the Company, and deposited it for collateral security with Mr. Hopping for a loan for himself, and made false and inconsistent statements with regard to this note. Viz 1st That it was given for collateral security. 2nd That it was put in Mr. Hoppings hands for the purpose of effecting a change in the parties to the Insurance. 3. That it was placed in his hands for collection. Witnesses Y. L. G. Harris & C. F. McCay. No. IV Mr. Parsons made a false statement concerning a risk taken by him from Judge Brenson in [Jacksonville] *St. Augustine* Fla. in this, That when told that he had taken the risk too law, in the estimation of Mr. King, he stated to the Directors that the remembered well the position and exposure of the property, and that it was not exposed by any other building, when, in fact, it was exposed by several. Witnesses C. F. McCay & A. Chase. No. V. Mr. Parsons made a false statement to Mr. Bass in regard to marine premiums in his hands, by stating that he had none to report, when he had. Witness, Wm. F. Bass. No VI Mr. Parsons, after his removal, as General Agent, to the wrong of the Company and the parties he had insured, refused and neglected to report to them certain risks he had taken. * April 21st, 1853 _ Correction made by consent of Mr. Parsons. John Rice Bowman Tem. Clerk. 279. Athens, September 1852. Witnesses, C. F. McCay, N. Hoyt D.D. A. Church D.D. and Hon. A. Hull. No. VII Mr. Parsons received, at very many times, moneys which he did not account for. Witnesses Wm. F. Bass, & A. Chase. No VIII. Mr. Parsons received a report from A. W. Hill, containing a Draft, which he did not record, and when Hill referred to it subsequently, Mr. Parsons wrote to Mr. Chase that he had found the Report, but that there was not mark on it of money being sent, although Mr. Parsons had already collected the check. Witness Mr. Chase. Specification IV. On the 23rd day of May 1851, Mr. Parsons received from the Mutual Insurance the insurance money due to J. McDonough, for one fourth of a Steam Saw Mill which had been burnt, $750.75. which more than paid six notes which McDonough had given Parsons, and which notes were at the time this money was paid lying in the hands of E. S. Hopping Esqr. as collateral security to protect Mr. Hopping against damage from a note in Bank signed by him as indorsed for Mr. Parsons.. Altho these notes were now thus fully paid by the written agreement between Parsons and McDonough, dated Feb. 28, 1851 (which ser) yet never till March 8th 1852, about [nine] 12 months and a half, did Mr. Parsons inform Mr. Hopping that these McDonough notes had been paid. He suffered the notes to lie in Mr. Hoppings hands as good security, during all that time. Mr. Hopping being perfectly ignorant of said payment, thus dealing unjustly with McDonough, who was entitled 280. Athens September 1852. to his notes when paid, and unfairly with Mr. Hopping. Witnesses, E. S. Hopping, Mr. McDonough, Mr. Parsons letter of March 8th 1852, the Argument between Parsons and McDonough, and the Books and Secretary of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company. Presbytery adjourned to meet in Athens on Tuesday before the fourth Sabbath in April next at seven Oclock P.M. Closed with Prayer and the Apostolical Benediction. G. H. W. Petrie, Moderator. Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. Examined and approved at Savannah 25 Nov 1852 with the following exceptions; on page 263 it is recorded that Presbytery received under their care a church formed in the city of Augusta without a previous order on consent of Presbytery. 2nd Presbytery at its last session tabled serious charges against one of its members and then adjourned without ordering a copy of the charges to be put into the hands of the accused or citations to be issued for the witnesses. Nathan Hoyt Moderator 283. Athens. April 19. 1853. Presbytery met, at seven Oclock P.M. [Wednesday] A Sermon was preached by the Moderator, Rev. G. H. Petrie, on John VII. 171. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God. After Public Worship the Session was opened with Prayer. Present A. Church D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. F. Bowman D.D. R. Chamberlain, H. Safford, J. W. Reid, G. H. W. Petrie, Wm. P. Gready, R. C. Ketchum, G. H. Cartledge, J. U. Parsons, and John Rice Bowman, Ministers, with Wm. L. Mitchell, of Athens, Roswell Hulbert of Greenesboro Saml. Johnson of Hebron & New Lebanon. D. M. Johnson of Pleasant Hill, Ruling Elders. Rev. John R. Bowman was chosen Temporary Clerk. Members absent. S. K. Talmage D.D. J. W. Baker, C. P. Neman, F. R. Boulding, R. Hooker, H. Hendel, Henry Newton, E. P. Rogers, W. Baird, R. M. Baker, W. H. Thompson, J. L. Rogers, D. McNeill Turner, & William G. Williams. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Wednesday morning nine o clock _ Presb. met and opened with Prayer. Rev. John W. Reid was chosen Moderator. The minutes of the last stated meeting were read and confirmed. Rev. Mr. Mann of the Methodist E. Church being present was invited to a seat in Presbytery. Messrs Hoyt, Chamberlain, & Mitchell were appointed a Committee on Devotional Exercises. Brother Reid rendered a satisfactory excuse for absence from the last meeting. Presbytery proceeded to the trial of Brother Parsons. Whereupon the Moderator solemnly enjoined the Presbytery to recollect and regard their high character as Judges in a Court of Jesus Christ, and Prayer was offered for special direction and guidance. It appeared that a copy of the charges and specification had been, in due time, put into the hands of the accused, and he had been regularly cited. 284 Athens, [September] April 1853. The way for trial being open, the charges a specifications were all read, and Brother Parsons pleaded Not guilty. Elder Wm. L. Mitchell, was assigned as his Counsel. The subject was then taken up _ and Specification I. was read. Dr. Hoyt was appointed to conduct the prosecution. In reference to this Mr. Parsons admitted that the sums stated were correct or nearly so. But he denied the inferences, & the motives alluded. Mr. A. Chase, being sworn testified as follows _ It is true that Mr. Parsons retained large sums of money from time to time in his possession, and believes that [Being crass] the charges in this specification are substantially correct. Being cross-examined he said - The deficit of $3000, was not a deficit at any one time. The knowledge of the deficit of $1850. was obtained from the monthly Reports made to Mr. Parsons, compared with the Reports sent to the Office by Mr. Parsons. The knowledge of the deficit of $1144. was obtained by inquiries addressed to persons who had insured, and by the renewals of Policies. Mr. Parsons had generally consented to be charged with the items, and has satisfied all these claims. The amount of property insured according to the 2nd Annual Report, was $3,892,000. Amount of cash receipts, $46,000. Premium account $167,000. According to the first annual Report, the amount of property insured $2,000,000. Amount of premium notes $55,000 - Cash fund $15,000. Open Policy is one issued to a merchant to insure merchandize by allowing the entries to be made by the Merchant himself, usually in the presence of an Agent, and then reported to the Company and entered on the Books _ He cannot insure above 10 per cent on the invoice of the merchandize. 285. Athens April 1853. The premium on open Policies is paid on each ending, or at the end of the month. Mr. C. F. McCay. Being seven testified as follows. He was one of the Committee to examine Mr. Parsons Reports for 1849. In that year Mr. Parsons reported fully his accounts with each Agent. The sum of these items was the amount of his indebtedness to the Company. On examining these items they did not correspond with Mr. Parsons monthly statement. Does not know that any monthly Report was in favor of the Company. Cross examined. The examination referred to take place, September 1849. All the papers had passed thro Mr. Parsons hands. Mr. Parsons statements are made up of 2. sets of items. 1st Business done by all Agents; 2nd the business done by himself. Mr. Parsons, at this time, was both Secretary and Agent. Mr. Parsons never gave the particulars of any monthly Report as Agent; but this had nothing to do with the discrepancy in question. The witness is impressed with the belief that there were errors in all the Reports. There were errors both in favor of Mr. Parsons and against him, but errors in his favor, and against himself. The first balance against Mr. Parsons was about $2500, which was first reduced to about $2100, and there reduced to $1800 by facts that came to the knowledge of the Company, if a character generally not to implicate Mr. Parsons. Many of the additions of 12 monthly Reports were incorrect. The sum of all the errors in addition were against Mr. Parsons, [wer] tho some of the items were in his favor. This sum was $52.92 and place to Mr. Parsons credit. Much of the amount of deficit was in Mr. Parsons hands for some time. 286. Athens: April 1853. Mr. William F. Bass being sworn testified as follows. Mr. Miller of La Grange was insured and the cash premium amounted to $12.00 and the Policy was $100. Mr. Miller wrote that he had sold out, and wish his note, and on turning to the Register the number was left blank. In looking for the number of this Policy in Mr. Parsons Report, he discovered an interlineation in Mr. Parsons hand writing of a Policy issued to Mr. Wm. M. Morton in Dec. 1849. The cash premium of which was $57.50 and yet the footing of the column on the Register was unchanged. Cross examined. This interlineation is in Mr. Parsons own book of Reports. It is entered on the Register in Regular form. Does not know when this interlineation took place. He discovered it in Jan. 1851.about one year after the issuing of the Policy Mr. A. Chase recalled. This transaction with Mr. Morton was known to him, and he asked Mr. Parsons why he did not enter this on the Book. Specification II. Mr. A. Chase testified. That this Specification [was] is substantially correct. Cross examined. There were loose sheets of memoranda. Those continued the cash receipts from Agents. These sheets were not recorded nor filed. These motions were not put in a Book until after Dec. 1849. He thinks he mentioned this transaction with Mr. Winton ton the President of the Company. Mr. Parsons never denied that he had _ issued the Policy to Mr. Morton. Mr. Wm. Bass, recalled, testifies, That this Specification is substantially correct. 287. Athens. April 1853. Detailed Specifications III. No 1. The facts contained in this No. were admitted by Mr. Parsons. No. 2. A paper was made by Dr. Hoyt, and the statement of facts admitted as such by Mr. Parsons. No. 3. Mr. C. F. McCay testified. That he understood Mr. Parsons to have made the statement to him contained in the 2nd & 3rd items of this No. but knows nothing of the 1st. Cross examined. This note belonged to the company. The agents took cash and cash - notes. The Company forbade them to do so. This note was made before this interdict, and, where presented, it was the property of the Company. Mr. Parsons had right to the custody of this note for collection. No 4. Mr. C. F. McCay testified That Mr. Parsons said the buildings were not exposed - The Company received a plot of the buildings and grounds in which the buildings appeared by the plot to be exposed. The witnesss impressinso is that the distance of the buildings did not exceed 30 feet. No orange trees represented on the plot. There is sometimes a difference of opinion among men as to the exposure of buildings Does not remember that there was any scale of measurement on the plot. The Company were satisfied from the plot, that the buildings were exposed. The plot professed to be drawn by Mr. Bronson. Mr. Bass testified That he showed Mr. Parsons - 288. what purported to be a plot of Judge Bronsons buildings. Mr. Parsons admitted to the witness that he did not go on that side of the dwelling, nor did he see certain buildings as represented on the plot. No 5. Mr. Bass testified That the Company had ascertained that Greenwood & Morris had reported to Mr. Parsons the business done by them under an open Policy, and Mr. Parsons was requested to report. Mr. Parsons stated he had nothing to report of that kind, but a few days afterward reported. Cross examined. This conversation occurred after the Board had refused to allow him to issue Marine, or open Policies. Mr. Parsons had, before this issued 30 or 40. Witness thinks this to Greenwood and Morris was included in Mr. Ps monthly report. Mr. Parsons went out of Office in October 1851. All Mr. Parsons Reports for the year 1851. have been examined by him. No 6. Rev. D. Hoyt, having been sworn, testified That the reason assigned by Mr. Cobb, the legal counsel of Mr. Parsons, why Mr. Parsons did not report the risks etc., was that he, (Mr. Cobb,) advised him to this course. This statement by Mr. Cobb was made in the presence of Mr. Parsons. Mr. Parsons admitted that he did refuse but under the advice of legal counsel No 7. Admitted by the defence that monies were frequently, but not accounted for at the time to the Company, but accounted for afterward when brought to his notice. No 8. Admitted verbatim. 289. Specification IV The facts admitted. Mr. Wm. M. Morton, introduced by Mr. Parsons, having being sworn testified as follows. Witness was Agent of the So. Mutual Insurance Company. He took both notes and cash, for Policies. When the Company was first organized Policies were issued for five years. One fifth of the premium is paid in cash and credited on the note, and the remained in cash notes, and all credited. The premium note bore no interest, but subject to assessment. The premium notes were deposited were deposited with the Company; the cash notes were kept by the Agent. The company refused to review them, insisting that he should collect them, but that in a final settlement Mr. Parsons took them as Secretary of the company as cash and Mr. Morton was released as Agent. The Treasurer, under the direction of the Board, was in the habit of lending money on interest. Witness was a Director in 1849. He effected a Policy with Mr. Parsons in Dec. 1849. This Policy was first issued for one month. The Policy was afterwards prolonged for five years, and increased 1,000$. This was a public transaction, as were all Mr. Parsons transactions with him. Witness transacted much business with Mr. Parsons. There was labor connected with the Company and the Office of Secretary. Cross examined. The Policy was extended because Witness expected to sell his Merchandize during the month for which the Policy was first issued, but as he did not, he extended the term. The Policy was renewed about the close of the month for which it was first issued, but that month was included in the five years. Mr. Ashbury Hull, introduced by Mr.Parsons, having been sworn testified as follows. 290. Athens, April. 1853. When the sum of $1850. was against Mr. Parsons, Mr. Parsons gave his note for this on the 25th April 1850. Mr. Parsons paid interest on this note, & the note has been fully cancelled. The investigating Committee commenced their investigations in the fall of 1849. and continued them during the fall and winter of 1849 & 50. Witness was made President & Treasurer in the fall of 1848. The Board of Directors did not authorize the Agents to take notes in lieu of cash, and they declined generally to rescue them. The Testimony in the case was here closed. Mr. Mitchell addressed the Presbytery on the part of the defence - and Dr. Hoyt made some remarks on the part of the Prosecution. Mr. Parsons made some explanatory statements. The Roll was then called to allow each member an opportunity of remarking on the case. The Presbytery did not take up the specifications, one by one, and give its judgement on each separately. But the following Paper was proposed as embodying the judgement and decision of the Presbytery on the whole case. viz The Presbytery, having carefully and patiently listened to the evidence and arguments in the case of Rev. John U. Parsons, are satisfied that he has not been guilty of moral turpitude, intentional fraud, or other acts indicating [of] moral delinquency, while the Presbytery are convinced from the Testimony and the admissions of Brother Parsons himself, that he has, from inexperience in business, and a want of training, and knowledge of Book-keeping, committed many errors, and made diverse omissions, which show him, in these respects, incompetent. 291. Athens. April, 1833. fully to discharge [the] his whole duty in the vast and complicated business, which the Southern Mutual Insurance Company created from its first Organization. Objections were made by some members of the Court to this Paper. They could cordially vote to acquit Brother Parsons of all intentional fraud in these transactions, but they were not prepared to declare him entirely free from all moral delinquency. The Presbytery however ordained to alter the Paper so as to remove these objections. The vote of the adoption of the Paper was taken vivu vace, and no one voted against it. It was adopted as the judgement of the Presbytery in the case. Those who were not satisfied with the paper, as a whole, but approved of it so far as the acquittal of the Defendant from intentional fraud was [?], offered the following [the] Paper, which was admitted to record, viz. I. Whilst, [the Undersigned] in the judgement of the Undersigned, there was not sufficient evidence added to convict Mr. Parsons of intentional and deliberate fraud, yet the evidence was not such as to satisfy us that there was no violation of that high moral principle, in the numerous acts of business, with which he was connected, which should characterize Christians, and especially Christian Ministers. II. Whilst we believe that Mr. Parsons, was, thro lack of the necessary experience, incompetent to discharge the duties of his office, requiring as they did, correct knowledge of book-keeping, yet, in our opinion -, this theory alone will not account for all the errors committed by him, as they appear in the Evidence before Presbytery. R. C. Ketchum Nathan Hoyt. Francis Bowman John Creighton G. H. W. Petrie _ Roswell Hulbert John Rice Bowman _ D. M. Johnson _ 292. Athens April 1852. The proceedings of the Presbytery in the trial of Mr. Parsons have been inserted without the interruptions of other business which actually occurred, in the process of trial. The other business of the Presbytery will now be recorded in the order in which it took place. During the Wednesday morning Session - Henry Newton, & John Creighton, Elder from Sandy Church, and took their seats. Brethren Chamberlain, & Baird, Ministers and John Cunningham & Phinizy, Elders, was appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly. Brethren Rogers & Safford, Ministers, and W. L. Mitchell, & D. M. Burns Elders, were appointed Alternates. A Letter was received from Rev. Homer Hendel asking a Dismission from this Presbytery, to join the Presbytery of Florida. He was, accordingly dismissed, & recommended to the Presbytery of Florida as a member in good standing. Mr. C. P. B. Martin, a Licentiate, applied by letter for a dismission to put himself under the care of the Flint River Presbytery. His request was granted, & he was recommended to that Presbytery, as a Licentiate in good standing. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery in Clarksville, on Thursday before the 3rd Sabbath in September next at 10. oclock A.M. The Committee appointed to install Bro. Turner, reported that they performed that duty. A Letter was received from the Rev. Dr. Wilson informing Presb. that $30.00 are still due from this Presb. for printing the minutes of Synod. It was ordered that this be paid out of the first money that comes into the Treasury. 293. Athens April 1853. The Committee to install Brother Cartledge reports that they performed that duty. Messrs Cartledge and Burns were appointed a Committee on the Minutes of Synod. Brother Safford obtained leave of absence after to day. The free Conversation on the state of Religion was made the order of the day Friday morning 10 oclock. MessrsPetrie and Mitchell were appointed the Com. on the Narrative. A recess was taken until 2 oclock. Wednesday afternoon, two o clock. Presb. met and resumed its business _ The afternoon - was [occupied] devoted to the trial of Mr. Parsons _ Before this was finished Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning, nine Oclock. Closed with Prayer _ Thursday morning nine O clcok. Presbytery met & was opened with Prayer _ The following Committees of Review were appointed _ Cartledge and Hulbert on the Records of Woodstock Church; - Gready and S. Johnson on those of Greenesboro; - Chamberlain & Mitchell on these of Thyatira; - Gready and Creighton on those of New Lebanon -; Church & D. M. Johnson on those of Hebron; Newton and Wilhught on those of of Pleasant Hill; - Rogers and Hulbert on those of Newhope. Bowman and Dawse on those of Augusta. Cartledge and Johnson on those of Greenstreet. Joseph B. Long Elder from Newhope approved and took his seat. Rev. E. P. Rogers appeared and assigned satisfactory reasons for absence from the last meeting and for tardiness at this. 294. Athens April 1853. Mr. Rufus H. Porter, a Licentiate of the Charleston Presbytery, presented a certificate of dismission from that Presbytery, and recommendation to this, whereupon he was received as a Licentiate under the care of this Presbytery. Rev. Wm. G. Williams presented a certificate of dismission from the Georgia Presbytery with a recommendation to this Presbytery - After a brief examination he was received. A request, in writing, from the Waynesboro and Bath Presbyterian Church, to be taken under the care of this Presbytery, was received, and the request was cordially granted - and that church was taken under our Care. A Petition from the Waynesboro and Bath Church was received, asking Presbytery to ordain Mr. Rufus K. Porter to the work [of the work] of the Gospel Ministry at this meeting, sine titulo Whereupon it was ordered that his examination be the order of the day for 9 o clock to morrow morning, and that 2 Chron. 18: 33. be assigned him for the subject of a trial sermon. Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning nine o clock. Closed with Prayer. Friday morning 9 o clock. Presbytery met, and was opened with Prayer. _ The Report of the Treasurer was received and referred to Messrs Mitchell and Hulbert. A Petition was received from the Newhope Danielsville Churches, requesting Presbytery to ordain our Licentiate R. W. Milner, sine titulo. It was determined to grant the request, and to examine him with Mr. Porter _ Ps 119: 18 was assigned for a trial sermon. 295. Athens, April 1853. The Committee on the Minutes of Synod reported that there was nothing requiring the action of this Presbytery. Presbytery proceeded to the examination of the candidates for Ordination, and went thro with it. There examination on all the subjects required in our Book was sustained. Elder D. M. Burns obtained leave of absence. Rev. Mr. Lee of the Presbytery of Connecticut being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member. The Committee to whom the Treasurer; Report was referred, reported that it was correct. The Report was adopted. A Recess was taken until 2 1/2 oclock. Friday P.M. 2 1/2 oclock - Presbytery met. Mr. Milner read his Sermon, and it was sustained as a part of trial for ordination. Mr. Porter was ordered to preach his sermon to night - at 8 oclock. It was determined, if the way be clear, to ordain these brethren, in Sabbath Afternoon, and that Brother Preach the Ordination Sermon and put the constitutional Questions - and that Brother Rogers give the Charge. Presbytery had its free conversation on the state of Religion. Brother Reid obtained leave of absence, and Brother Petrie took the chair. The Committees of Review reported and the Records were approved respectively. There was a recess until 8 oclock at which time Presb. met and heard the trial sermon of Mr. Porter. The sermon was approved. 296. Athens April, 1853. The Rev. Robert Logan, when certificate of dismission from the Concord Presb. was read to Presb. - at its last meeting, being now present, was, after a brief examination, received as a member of this Presbytery. The following sums were paid into the Commissioner's fund. Viz. Newhope $3.00. Danielsville 3.00. Sparta 10.00 Milledgeville 10.00 Lexington 5.00. Woodstock 7.00. Madison 5.00. New Lebanon 3.50. Hebron [3]2.00 Pleasant Hill 2.00 Clarksville 3.00. Sandy Creek 3.00. Thyatira 7.00 Greenesboro 10.00. Bethany 7.00. Green Street 10.00. Athens 34.00 First Church Augusta 40.00. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Closed with Prayer. - Saturday morning 9 oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. The Committee on the Narrative presented this Report, which was adopted. Brethren Cartledge, Gready, & Johnson, were appointed a Committee on Missionary supplies. Presbytery took a recess to allow the Georgia Domestic Missionary Society an opportunity to hold its annual meeting. The recess was continued until 4 oclock. Saturday 4 oclock P.M. Presbytery met. The committee on Missionary supplies made a Report which was adopted. The Domestic Missionary Executive Committee was reappointed: Rev. John D. Matthews, of the Presbytery of Muhlenberg, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. A recess was taken until Sabbath afternoon 3 Oclock. 297. Athens, April, 1853. Sabbath afternoon 3 oclock. Presbytery met. [to the ordination services.] The Examination of the candidates, & their several parts of trial having been sustained, Presb. proceeded to ordain them. Brother Petrie preached the Ordination Sermon, and put the prescribed Questions to the Candidates. These Questions having been answered in the affirmative, Rufus K. Porter and Robert W. Milner, were solemnly ordained to the whole work of the Ministry, by Prayer and the laying on the nads of the Presbytery. The Right-hand of fellowship was [then] given, and Brother Rogers delivered a solemn charge to the newly ordained Evangelists. They then took their seats as members of the Presbytery. Presbytery adjourned to meet in Clarksville on Thursday before the third Sabbath in September next at 10. oclock A.M. Concluded with Prayer and the Apostolical Benediction. John W. Reid, Moderator Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. 298. Rev 299. Clarksville September 1853. Presbytery met according to adjournment in Clarksville on Thursday the 22nd of September at 10 o clock A.M. 1853. The Moderator not being present, the Rev. Dr. Hoyt preached a Sermon on Luke 23: 24, 25. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him, that for sedition and murder [had] was cast into prison, who they had desired; but [they] he delivered Jesus to their will. The Session was opened with Prayer. Present N. Hoyt D.D. F. Bowman D.D. R. C. Ketchum; G. H. Cartledge, and R. K. Porter Ministers; with A. Irvin Clarksville, Archibald McDonald, Hebron & New Lebanon, and Gideon Daluse, Waynesboro & Bath _ Ruling Elders. Absent, A. Church D.D. S. K. Talmage D.D. R. Chamberlain, H. Safford, J. W. Baker, C. P. Beman, J. W. Reid, F. R. Goulding, R. Hooker, G. H. W. Petrie; Henry Newton, W. P. Gready, E. P. Roger D.D. W. Baird R. M. Baker, W. H. Thompson, J. U. Parsons, John Rice Bowman, D. McNeill Turner, W. G. Williams, R. W. Milner, Robert Logan. - A recess was taken until 4 O clock P.M. at 4 O clock Presbytery met. Rev. H. Safford, E. L. Newton Elder from Athens, and Daniel M. Johnson Elder from Pleasant Hill, Church, appeared and took their seats. Dr. Hoyt was chosen Moderator. The Minutes of the last stated meeting were read. [A] Letters were received from W. H. Thompson, & Dr. Church assigning reasons for absence which were sustained. A Letter was received from Washington Baird requesting a dismission to join the Charleston Presbytery He was accordingly dismissed and recommended to the Charleston Presbytery as a beloved member in good standing. It contained also his Report as Commissioner to the Assembly. It was approved _ His expenses $44.00. The Treasurer was instructed to pay him that sum. 300. Clarksville Sep. 1853. The Rev. Mr. Ketchum and Elder Irvin were appointed a Committee on Devotional Exercises. Rev. Mr. Cartledge, & Elder Newton were appointed a Committee on the Narrative - to report to the Presbytery during the Synod. Adjourned until to morrow morning 9 Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Friday morning nine Oclock - Presb. met and was opened with Prayer. Rev. Harry Newton, and Elders, John H. Cunningham, of Thyatira, & Benjamin Hall of Augusta appeared & took their seats. The Committee on Devotional Exercises made a Report which was approved. Rev. F. R. Goulding applied by letter for a Dismission to join the Cherokee Presbytery. He was accordingly Dismissed and affectionately recommended to the Cherokee Presbytery as a member in good standing. A Call from the Waynesboro and Bath Church to the Rev. R. K. Porter was received and put into the hands of Br. Porter. He, having had it before his mind for some time, was prepared, at once, to deduce his acceptance of it. Presbytery determine to install him on Saturday before the 2nd Sabbath in October by a Committee. Dr. Rogers was appointed to preach the Installation Sermon; Dr. Hoyt to give the charge to the Pastor and Dr. Bowman to give the charge to the profile. Dr. Talmage was appointed Alternate to Dr. Rogers, Brother Turner to Dr. Hoyt; & John Rice Bowman to the other member of the Committee. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery at Lexington on Wednesday the 5th day of April next, at 7. Oclock P.M. It was also determined to adjourn at the closed of the present sessions to meet in Athens 301. Clarksville September 1853. during the Sessions of the Synod at the call of the Moderator. Dr. Rogers assigned, by letter, his reasons for absence from the present sessions. They were sustained. There being so few members present, the Free conversation on the State of Religion was postponed until the meeting in Athens during the Synod. Presbytery adjourned to meet in Athens during the meeting of Synod in Nov. next, at the Call of the Moderator. Closed with Prayer. Nathan Hoyt Moderator Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. Examined and approved thus far at Sessions of Synod of Georgia in Athens, Nov. 5th 1853, with the following exceptions: Brother Petrie on page 295, is reported as having taken the Chair, in the absence of the Moderator without assigning the Constitutional reason that Brother Petrie was the last Moderator. Page 291, the vote, on the adoption of the paper in the trial of Brother Parsons, is recorded to have been unanimous; and yet a protest is afterwards allowed with 8 signitures, more particularly do we complain that the protest is signed by Dr. Hoyt, who was employed as prosecutor in the case, the Constitution forbidding any of the parties any such thing. John F. Lennean Moderator. 303. Athens Nov. 3rd 1853. Presbytery met at the call of the Moderator according to previous appointment, at 9. Oclock A.M. Nov 3rd 1853. Present N. Hoyt, H. Safford, F. Bowman, R. C. Ketchum, E. P. Rogers, J. R. Bowman, R. K. Porter, Ministers, and Benjamin Hall of Augusta, and E. L. Newton of Athens Ruling Elders. The Session was opened with Prayer. A certificate of Dismission of the Rev. S. S. Davis D.D. from the Harmony was received, and after a satisfactory examination Dr. Davis was received as a member of this Presbytery. Rev. Wm. H. Thompson applied by letter for dismission to join the Presb. of Nashville - Whereupon he was dismissed and recommended to the Presbytery of Nashville as a member on good standing. Rev. J. U. Parsons was, at his own request in writings dismissed to join the Barnstable Co. Association of Congregational Ministers in Mass. He was recommended to that body as a member in good standing. Rev. Robert L. Breek of the West Lexington Presb. being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member. The following Resolutions were offered and adopted. I. Resolved That this Presbytery has heard with profound sorrow the melancholy intelligence of the death of the Rev. W. L. Hughes of the Charleston Presbytery, who for the last two years has been laboring in our bounds as Stated supply of the Green Street Presbyterian Chh. in Augusta. II. Resolved That we desire to express our appreciation of Brother Hughes Character and qualifications for usefulness, and our satisfaction at learning that in his illness and death he exhibited good evidence, that, as for him to live was xt, so to die was gain. III. Resolved That we tender to his bereaved family and the Church for which he labored our warm sympathy and our prayers that the event may be sanctified to their spiritual good. 304 Presbytery had a free conversation on the state of Religion in our bounds, and adopted a Narrative to be sent to the Synod. Presbytery determined to hold an adjourned meeting in Macon to receive the Call of that Church to the Rev. R. L. Buck, at such time as the Moderator shall designate. It then adjourned to meet in Macon at the Call of the Moderator. Closed with Prayer. The Presbytery was called to meet in Macon on Saturday before the third Sabbath on Jan. 7th 1854. at 7 Oclock P.M. It met accordingly. Present S. K. Talmage, H. Safford and F. Bowman, Ministers, with Washington Poe of Macon Elder. Brother Safford was called to the chair, and opened the Session with prayer. Rev. I. Lawrence King of the Flint River Presb. being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Rev. Robert L. Buck presented a certificate of Dismission from the West Lexington Presbytery, with a recommendation to this Presb. After a satisfactory examination, he was received. A Call from the Macno Church was put into his hands, and, having previously considered the matter, he declared his acceptance of [the] it. The Presbytery determined to install him to morrow morning. Dr. Talmage was appointed to preach the Installation Sermon. Br. Safford to give the Charge to the Pastor, and Dr. Bowman to give the Charge to the Congregation. The installation services took place accordingly on Sabbath morning _ after which Presbytery adjourned to meet in Lexington on Wednesday the 5th day of April next at 7. O clock P.M. Francis Bowman Stated Clerk. 305. Lexington, April 5th 1854. Wednesday, half past seven oclock P.M. Presbytery met. A Sermon was by Dr. Hoyt, the Moderator, on I. Tim. 4: 6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the wrdso of faith, and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. The Session was opened with Prayer. Present Nathan Hoyt D.D. S. K. Talmage D.D. T. Bowman, Henry Safford J. W. Reid, Henry Newton, E. P .Rogers D.D. G. H. Cartledge, J. R. Bowman, R. K. Porter, R. W. Milner, R. L. Buck, Ministers, Wm. B. Johnson, of Greeneseboro Francis L. Upson of Lexington John E. Caldwell of Hebron New-Lebanon, John Scott of Woodstock, J. A. McCurdy, of New-Hope, Wilson J. Byrd od Danielsville, Wm. O. Alexander of Thyatira, Joseph Bryan, of Mount Zion Ruling Elders. Presbytery adjourned until to morrow morning nine oclock. Closed with Prayer. Thursday morning nine oclock - Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer. R. C. Ketchum appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness Henry Newton was chosen Moderator. Rev. Wm. Flinn of the Tuscaloosa Presbytery, being present was invited to sit as a corresponding member. J. W. Reid and F. L. Upson were appointed a committee on devotional Exercises. Robert Logan presented a request in writing to be dismissed to join the Presb. of South Carolina. He was, accordingly dismissed, and recommended to that Presbytery as a member in good standing. S. K. Talmage & Henry Safford Ministers, and John E. Caldwell and Gideon Doluse, Ruling Elders were appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly. G. H. Petrie presented a request in writing for a dismission from this Presbytery to join the Cherokee Presbytery. His was granted and he was recommended [*Petrie Dismissed*] 306 Lexington April 1854. to that Presbytery as a member in good standing. E. P. Rogers, having received a Call to a Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia request Presbytery to dissolved the Pastoral relation between him and the Church in Augusta. It appeared that the Church acquiesced in this application. The matter was referred to Messrs Porter, Talmage, & Bryan - A recess was taken until 3 ? o clock - Afternoon half past three oclock - Mr. Robert A. Houston was introduced to Presby. for the purpose of being take in under its care as a Candidate for the Gospel ministry. He is a member of the Church at Woodstock, and a Graduate of Oglethorpe University. He was examined on Experimental Religion, and as to his motives in seeking the Sacred Office. Presb. being satisfied on these points, he was taken under its care. It appeared that the young brother had been pursuing Theological studies for several years since he graduated. He had prepared a Latin Exegesis on, An sit poena Scelatourm Sempiterna'?; A Critical Exercise on Psalm 139. 1-12. a Lecture on II. Cor. 5: 1-9, and a sermon on Rom. 5: 23. [*Houston Received*] The Latin Exegesis was referred to Messrs Milner and Ketchum. The Critical Exercise & Lecture were read and they were sustained as parts of trial. - Gideon Douse Elder from the Waynesboro and Bath Church appeared and took his seat. The Treasurers Report was received and referred to Messrs Cartledge and Johnson. The Committee recommend that the Pastorak relation between Brother Rogers and the 1st Pres. Church in Augusta be dissolved. The recommend also the adoption of the following Resolutions. I. That while we believe Providence indicates the 307. Lexington, April 1854. wisdom of this movement, we cannot but mourn the necessity which is to remove from the Church in Augusta a Pastor so beloved and useful and that we sympathize in the loss it is about to sustain. [*Rodgers Dismissed*] II. That in separating from Brother Rogers we lose a beloved friend and faithful co Laborer in this part of the vineyard of our Common Lord, one prized by us as a warm hearted man, a useful member of Presbytery, who, wherever he may go will carry with him our love, our best wishes and prayers for his happiness and success. III. That we recommend Brother Rogers to the hearts of Gods people every where, bidding him farewell, and a hearty God-speed in his future work. And tho meeting here no more, praying and hoping in Christ, to meet at last where there is on sin and no separation. It was determined to hold the next stated meeting of Presbytery at Richmond Bath, on Thursday before the 4th Sabbath in September next, at 7 O clock P.M. A Letter was received from the Rev. Dr. McKinney in reference to the Presbyterian Banner and was referred to Messrs Talmage, Breek and Caldwell. The Committee on the Latin Exegesis recommended that it be sustained _ It was accordingly sustained. Messrs Breek and Douse were appointed a Committee on the Minutes of Synod - Brother Rogers, at his request, was dismissed to join the Presbytery of Philadelphia - and he was recommended to that body as a member in good standing. He assigned the office of Chairman to the Ex. Com. of Dom. Missions. The present Committee was reappointed with the addition Dr. Davis to be the Chairman. Rev. Charles B. King presented a certificate of Dismisions from the Flint River Presbytery, with a recommendation to this Presb. After a satisfactory examination, he was received. [*C. B. King Received*] Adjourned until to morrow morning 9 Oclock. Closed with Prayer. - 308 Lexington, April, 1854. Friday morning 9 oclock - Presb. Met and was opened with Prayer. Rev. Daniel McNeil Turner appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness. Daniel Kilian, Elder from Madison appeared & took his seat. The following Committees of Review was appointed Turner and Alexander on the Records of the Athens Church. Messrs Kitchum and McCurdy on those of Augusta - Reid and Upson on those of Waynesboro and Bath. J. R. Bowman and Douse on those of Thyatira; King and Byrd on those of Hebron; Porter and McCurdy on those New Lebanon, Cartledge and Kilian on those of Danielsville, Milner & Caldwell on those of Mount Zion; Talmage and Bryan on those of Macon; Safford and Alexander on those of Pleasant Hill; Breek and Upson on those of New Hope; Hoyt and Bryan, on those of Madison; Ketchum & Douse on those of Greenesboro. The following contributions to the Commissioners fund were received: Madison $5. Green St. $10. Thyatira $7. Sandy Creek $3. Woodstock $7. Pleasant Hill $2. Newhope $3. Athens $35: Macon $34. Mount Zion $7. Washington $14. Lexington $5. Bethany $7. Greenesboro $10. Hebron and New Lebanon $6. Milledgeville $10. Sparta $10. Waynesboro & Bath $10 The Committees of Review reported and their Reports were adopted, and the Books respectively were approved. Brother Turner having received a Call from the Church in Tallahassee, asked for the dissolution of the Pastoral relation between him and the Church in Washington. It approved that the Church concurred in this request. It was referred to Messrs Ketchum and Hoyt. Brother King obtained leave of absence after to day. 309. Lexington, April, 1854. Messrs Turned Ketchum and Breek were appointed a committee to examine the candidate on Languages Arts and Sciences. Joseph H. Lumpkin Elder from Athens appeared and took his seat. The Committee to examine Mr. Houston on Languages, Arts and Sciences reported and recommended that the examination be sustained. The Report was adopted. A recess was taken until three Oclock. Friday P.M. three Oclock. Presb. met. The examination of Brother Houston on Theology was commenced & continued until half past three, when he preach his popular Sermon. The Sermon was sustained as a part of trials. A Communication was received from the Rev. John W. Baker asking for the dissolution of the Pastoral relations between him and the Milledgeville Church. It was referred to Messrs Breek and J. R. Bowman - [*J. W. Baker [dismissed]*] The Committee to whom the request of Brother Turner and the Washington Church was referred made the following Report which was adopted: viz Resolved 1st That the request be granted, the dissolution to take effect on the 15th on June next. [*D. M. Turner dismissed*] 2nd That this Presb. feels the most tender, solicitude in all the Churches under its care _ it prays for them; it consults for their welfare, and hears every thing pertaining to their interests with deep emotion, and that it especially sympathizes with the Church in Washington in the prsopect of losing the Pastoral services of a man, and a Christian Minister so highly respected & so well beloved for his Christian character & high qualifications as an expounder of the Word of God. 3. That we sincerely pray that the great Head of the Church will soon send to that bereaved Church a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith to break to them the bread of life. 310 Lexington April 1854. Brethren Talmage and Turner were appointed the Committee on the Narrative. Brethren Hoyt Safford and Bryan were appointed a Committee to report some plan for the collection and preservation of materials for a History of the Presbyterian Church in Georgia, according to the recommendation of the Synod. Brethren Reid, Cartledge & E. L. Newton were appointed a Committee on the supply of destitute Churches. The Committee on the History of the Church made the following Report, which was adopted: Resolved That it be made the duty of Pastors, stated supplies and Elders of the Churches to collect and write out all the important materials within their [?] bearing upon the Churches individually and to lay them before this Presb. at its next Spring Meeting. Resolved the aboved be read from the pulpits of our Churches, & be published in Southern Presbyterian. The Committee to whom the Communication of Brother J. W. Baker was referred, made the following Report which was adopted: Presbytery being satisfied that the Church in Milledgeville, tho not represented here, has taken on this subject, and unites with Brother Baker in this application. Therefore Resolved, That the request be granted, and that the Pastoral relation between him and the said Church be, and, it is hereby dissolved. Presbytery would further express its regret at the painful cause of the termination of this long and happy connexion, and its sympathy with the afflicted Brother; while we hope and pray that his healthy may be restored and his usefulness continued. [*Pastoral relat. between J. W. Baker & the Milledgeville Ch.*] Brother Turned asked for a dismission [from] to join the Presbytery of Florida. The request was granted, and he was recommended to that Presb. as a member in good standing. 311 Lexington, April 1854. Adjourned until to morrow morning nine Oclock. Concluded with Prayer. Saturday morning nine Oclock. Presbytery met and was opened with Prayer - Presbytery had a free conversation on the state of Religion within its bounds. The Committee on devotional Exercises made a report on the order of these Exercises by the Presbytery which was adopted. The Committee to whom the Letter from Dr. McKinneey was reformed, made the following Report which was adopted: As a Presbytery we regard the circulation of Religious Newspapers as indispensable to guide the Christian to intelligent views of the state of the Church and to proper action in relation to benevolent effort. - Our first duty in this respect is to sustain our local papers, as these are the only convenient media of communication between local Ecclesiastical Bodies and the Churches around them. We, therefore, look upon the Southern Presbyterian as a Paper demanding our special support. The Home and Foreign Record is also the Special Organ, giving us reliable and important information in a cheap and condensed form in regard to the form great schemes; viz Domestic and Foreign Missions; Education; and the circulation of sound Religious reading. For this reason we think that the Record should be generally supported by all the families within our communion. - To those who wish to avail themselves of a cheap and valuable Paper, giving a large amount of important general Religious information, we cordially recommend the Presbyterian Banner, which is conducted with a great ability and energy by the Rev. Dr. McKinney of Philadelphia. - The Examination of Brother Houston on Theology was resumed and finished. He was also - 312 Lexington, April, 1854. examined o Eccleasiatical History and Church Government. All the parts having been sustained. Presbytery proceeded to license the said Robert A. Houston to preach the Gospel as a Probationer for the Gospel Ministry, according to the form prescribed in the Form of Government. The Committee on the Narrative was directed to prepare it & forward it to the General Assembly, by one of the Commissioners. The Committee on the supply of destitute Churches, made the following Report which was adopted: Reid and Houston to hold a sacramental meeting at South Liberty at discretion. Cartledge the same at Turkey Creek at discretion; Dr. Church the same at Ebenezer, Ketchum the same at Jarretts Bridge, Dr. Hoyt in Hall County. R. M. Baker appeared and rendered satisfactory reasons for tardiness Presbytery spent sometime in Devotional Exercises. Adjourned to meet at Richmond Bath on Thursday before the fourth Sabbath in _ September next at seven Oclock P.M. Close with Prayer and the Apostolical Benediction. Henry Newton Moderator Francis Bowman S. Clerk Approved by Synod in session at Macon, 25th November 1854. John Cunningham Moderator of Synod. 313 On Thursday before the fourth Sabbath in September 1854 at seven Oclock P.M. the hour for the meeting of the Presbytery, there were present Francis Bowman and [the] Rufus K. Porter, Ministers, with Samuel Douse of the Waynesboro and Bath Church, and John R. Dow of the Green Street Church &John Cunningham of Greenesboro, Elders. A Quorum not being present, there was an adjournment [was] had until the next morning 10 Oclock. At that time there was no additional member present, There was an adjournment until the next day, and as there was not a Quorum at that time, these present adjourned to meet in Macon on Wednesday before the meeting of the Synod, Nov. 22. 1854, at 10 Oclock A.M. Macon Nov. 22. 1854 10 Oclock A.M. Presbytery met, and was opened with Prayer. Present A. Church D.D. Francis Bowman D.D. W. P. Gready, G. H. Cartledge, R. L Breek, and R. W. Milner Ministers; with John R. Dow, from the Green Street Church, and John J. Gresham of Macon, Ruling Elders. Rev. G. H. Cartledge was chosen Moderator. John Rice Bowman, at his own request, was dismissed to join the Presbytery of Tuscaloosa; and was recommended to that Presb. as a member in good standing. Presbytery had its free conversation on the of Religion, and Messrs Porter and Dow appointed a Committee on the Narrative. Messrs Milner and Church were appointed Committee on the Minutes of the General Assembly G. H. Cartledge, Dr. Hoyt, R. W. Milner, Henry Newton, E. L. Newton, John F. Groves, & Wilson J. Byrd, were appointed a Com. to confer with such Candidates for the Gospel Ministry as desire Aid from the Board of Education. 314 Macon, Nov. 1854. R. K. Potert, Dr. Talmage, R. L. Breek, J. R. Dow, and E. A. Nisbet, were appointed a Committee on the general subject of Education, to report to the Presbytery at its next stated meeting. Wm. P. Gready gave some account of his labors, & asked further leave to labor out of our bounds - and his request was granted. Dr. Talmage, J. W. Reid and David C. Campbell Elder from Milledgeville appeared and rendered satisfac= reasons for tardiness. Mr. Charles W. Lane, one of the Professors in the Oglethorpe University, was introduce to Presbytery for the purpose of being taken under its care, as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry. After a satisfactory examination on his experimental Acquaintance with Religion, & his motives for seeking the Holy Office, and knowing that he was a member of the Milledgeville Church, be was received. He was directed to pursue Theological studies under the supervision of Dr. Talmage, who was requested to assign him subjects for the usual parts of trial. [*C. W. Lane received under care of Presbytery*] Drs. Church, Talmage, & Mr. Campbell were appointed a Committee to examine the Candidate on the Arts and Sciences. Robert A. Houston, [Licentiate], at his own request was dismissed to put himself under the care of the Talladega Presbytery, as a Licentiate in good standing John E. Caldwell one of the Commissioners to the General Assembly, made a Report, which was approved, and the Treasurer was directed to pay the balance due him for his expenses, it being $7.50. Dr. Talmage reported that he had organized a Presbyterian Church at Iwrintno, Wilkinson County, consisting of eight members. He ordained two Elders, Richard Cockrane, and [Robert] Richard L. Story. It was taken under the care of Presbytery, agreeably to their request. [*Church at Irwinton organized*] 315 Macon, Nov. 1854. John W. Baker [made] was at his own request dismissed to join the Cherokee Presbytery, & was recommended t tohat Presb. as a Member in good standing. [*J. W. Baker dismissed*] Wm. G. Williams was also dismissed at his own request to join the Flint River Presb. and was recommended to that Presb.as a member in good standing. [*W. G. Williams dismissed*] A certificate of dismission of the Rev. J. S. K. Axson from the Presb. of Georgia, and a recommendation to this Presb. Was presented, whereupon after a satisfactory examination, Brother Axson was received as a member of this Body. [*J. S. K. Axson Received*] A Call from the Church in WAshington, to [the] Brother Axson, as received, and it appearing to have been made out agreeably to our Form of Government, it was put into his hands. [*Call from Washington Church to Bro. Axson*] On putting it into the hands of Brother Axson the Presb. adopted the following minutes (viz, Inasmuch as Presb. regards his present field of labor in the Greenesboro Female College, one of great importance to the Church, inasmuch as the Synod has declared that his continuance [?] would afford it no ordinary gratification; and inasmuch as the Trustees are very desirous to retain him at the Head of that Institution, where his talents and influence contribute very much to its prospects & usefulness, the Presb. recommend to Brother Axson not to gain his answer to the Call until the meeting of Presb. in April next, that he may have adequate time to reflect on the subject. Presbytery adjourned to meet in Woodstock on Thursday before the second Sabbath in April next at seven Oclock P.M. Closed with Prayer. G. H. Cartledge Moderator. Francis Bowman, Stated Clerk. 317. Woodstock, THursday, April 5. 1855. 7 Oclock, P.M. Presb. met. A Sermon was preached by the Moderator, on Col. I. 14. In whom we have redemption thro his blood even the forgiveness of sins. After public worship the session was opened with Prayer. PResent A. Church D.D. N. Hoyt D.D. S. S. Davis D.D. H. Safford, F. Bowman D.D. H. Newton, G. H. Cartledge, R. K. Porter, R. W. Milner, J. S. K. Axson, Ministers, with Porter Fleming. 1st Church Augusta, J. R. Dow, Green Street Church, Augusta, Giden Dowse Waynesboro and Bath, John Cunningham -, Greenesboro; E. L. Newton, Athens, John E. Caldwell Hebron & New-Lebanon, John Scott, Woodstock, Hiram Dunn, Bethany; John F. Groves Newhope; D. M. Johnson, Pleasant Hill; T. T. Windsor, Sparta, and A. I Harwell Mount Zion, Ruling Elders. Absent, S. K. Talmage D.D. R. Chamberlain, C. P. Beman D.D. R. Hooker, W. P. Gready, R. M. Baker, R. C. Ketchum, C. B. King, Wm. G. Williams, R. L. Breek - Adjourned until tomorrow morning half past eight Oclock. Closed with Prayer. Friday morning half past 8 Oclock. Preb. met and was opened with Prayer. Doctor S. S. Davis was chosen Moderator. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. It appeared that the failure of a Quorum to attend at Richmond Bath, last September was caused by the prevalence of yellow fever in Augusta and its Vicinity. Rev. William Flinn presented a certificate of Dismissino from the Presb. Of Tuskaloosa, and was received as a member of this Presb. after a satisfactory examination. [*Flinn Received*] A Communication was received from Brother Hooker giving reasons for his continued absence from our Meetings, which were sustained. Presb. Expressed its willingness foo him to labor out of our bounds, but desire him to communicate with us at our stated meetings. 318 Woodstock, April 1855. J. Robertson of Washington, and Daniel Kilian of Madison, Ruling Elders appeared & took their seats. A Communication from Dr. Talmage was received assigning reasons for absence, which were sustained. He informed Presbytery that agreeably to their request he had assigned to Proff. Lane the following subjects for trials: viz, An Christus sit Deus? For a Latin Exegesis; Matt. 4: 10 for a critical exercise; first Psalm for a Lecture, and Gal. 6: 14 for a Sermon. Brethren Reid, Cartledge and Scott were appointed a Committee on Devotional Exercises Presb. determined to hold its next stated Meeting at Richmond Bath in Thursday before the fourth Sabbath in September next at 8 Oclock. P.M. C. W. Lane and J. R. Dow, presented the marks for examination with reference to Licensure. Their Latin Exegesis were committed to Messrs Church & Reid. Their Critical Exercises and Lectures were read & sustained. Brother Dow read his popular Sermon, and it was sustained. Messrs Church, Axson, and Johnson were appointed a Committee to examine Mr. Dow on Languages, arts and Sciences. They were examined on Theology, Church History, Church Government, and the Sacraments, all of which was sustained. [*Examination of Lane & Dow.] F. L. Upson Elder from Lexington appeared and took his seat. A Recess was taken until three Oclock _ Friday Afternoon, three Oclock. D. C. Campbell Elder fro Milledgeville appeared and took his seat. The following Committees of Review were appionted: - Safford and Calwell on the Session Book of Milledgeville - Cartledge & Dunn on that of Pleasant Hill - Milner & Scott on that of Green Street, - Reed & Cunningham on that of Athens; 319 Woodstock, April 1855. Church and Dowse on that of Augusta, - Flinn and Howell on that of Hebron, - Cartledge and Dunn on that of Thyatira, - Porter and Kilian on that of Sparta, - Hoyt and Dow on that of Greenesboro - Newton and Windsor on that of New Hope, - Axson and Grove on that of Waynesboro and Bath, - Safford and E. L. Newton on that of Madison Milner and Robertson on that of New Lebanon. The Committee on the Latin Exegises, recommended their approval - the report was adopted. A Call from the Milledgeville Church to Brother Flinn was received, &, being in order, it was placed in his hands. He declared his acceptance of it, and Messrs Church, Reid, and E. L. Newton, were appointed a Com. to report arrangements for his Installation. [*Call from Milledgeville Church for Flinn.*] The following Contributions to the Commissioners fund were received, - Mount Zion 7.50 Sparta 10. Milledgeville 10. Pleasant Hill 1. Athens 34. New Lebanon 3. Hebron 3, Thyatira 7. Danielsville 3. Green Street, 10. New Hope 3. Madison 5. Greenesboro 10.. Woodstock 7. Lexington 5. The Treasurer of Presb., Porter Fleming, made his annual Report which was approved, - after being audited by Messrs Campbell and Upson. The subject of the Call from the Washington Church to Brother Axson, was taken up, and as he had agreeably to the recommendation of Presbytery, withheld his answer until now, he was asked whether he is ready not to give an answer. In reply he informed Presb.that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, he had determined to leave the decision of the Question of his leaving his present field of labor to the Presb. It being thus referred, Presb. heard a Memorial from the Board of Trustees of the Greenesboro Female College, urging the importance of retaining Mr. Axson in the Institution. After that Delegates from the [*Axsons Call to Washington*] 320. Woodstock April 1855. Washington Church were heard. The Roll was called to afford each member an opportunity of expressing his opinion. Presb. came to the following decision. Resolved, That it is inexpedient for Brother Axson to leave the Institution in Greenesboro at present. Adjourned until to morrow morning 8 ? Oclock. Closed with Prayer. Saturday morning 8 ? Oclock. Presb. met and was opened with Prayer. The Committees of Review made their Reports which were adopted, and the Books respectively were approved. The Committee appointed to examine the Candidates on Languages, Arts, and Sciences reported and recommended that the examination be sustained: The Report was adopted. John W. Reid Minister, and John F. Groves Elder were appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly: and R. K. Porter Minister, and E. L. Newton Elder were appointed Alternates. Francis Henry Bowman was introduced to Presb. for the purpose of being taken under its case as a Candidate for the Ministry. It appeared that he was a Member of the Church, and a graduate of Oglethorpe University. After a satisfactory examination respection his personal piety and his motives for seeking the Sacred Office, he was received. [*F. H. Bowman received as a Candidate etc.*] A recess was taken to afford the Georgia Domestic Missionary Society an opportunity to hold its Annual Meeting. Presbytery then held its free conversation on the State of Religion. The Committee on Devotional Exercises made a Report which was adopted. 321. Woodstock, April 1855. The Committee to report arrangements for the installation of Brother Flinn, recommended that it take place in the third Sabbath in May; - R. L. Breck to preach the Sermon, Dr. Talmage his Alternate; - J. S. K. Axson to give the charge to the people, - Br. Beman his Alternate; - F. Bowman to give the Charge to the Pastor and R. K. Porter his Alternate. The Report was adopted. [*Flinns Installation*] A Recess was taken until 23/4 OClock. Saturday Afternoon. 23/4 Oclock _ Presb. met. A Communication was received from Brother Breck. His reasons for absence were sustained. A part of the Letter related to the endowment of Oglethorpe University. This was referred to Messrs Flinn, Cartledge and Campbell. The following Standing Committees to examine Candidates, were appointed; [*Standing Committees on Examinations*] On Languages, Messrs Beman, Reid, Cartledge, and King. On Arts and Sciences, Messrs Church, Ketchum, Baker and Hooker. On Mental and Moral Philosophy, Messrs Davis, Newton, Flinn, and Cartledge. On Theology, Messrs Hoyt, Breck, Axson and Safford. On Ecclesiastical History, Messrs Talmage, Porter, Milner and Flinn. On Church Government & the Sacraments, Messrs Bowman, Newton, Porter and Milner. On the general subject of Education the following Resolutions were adopted: I That we do now appoint a Standing Committee on the subject of Education for the Ministry in our bounds. II That it be the duty of this Committee to examine Candidates, unable to appear before Presbytery, 322 Woodstock April 1855. and who desire a recommendation to our Board at Philadelphia; and, if the Committee were Satisfied, to make such recommendation. It shall also be the duty of this Committee to use such measures as they may deem best to keep this subject of Education prominently before the Sessions and Members of our Churches, and to press its claims for assistance. It shall thoroughly acquaint itself with the character, and all the necessities of our Candidates, and devise means for their relief. III. In no cases, but those of uncontrollable necessity, to be determined by the Presb., shall this Committee continue its recommendation for any Candidate, who fails to be present in the Presb. at its first meeting after the recommendation was given. - IV. This Committee shall consist of five members, whose Chairman shall report to every meeting of this Presb. Its vacancies shall be filled by the Presb. and three shall constitute a Quorum. [*Committee on Education.*] The Committee appointed are Messrs F. Bowman, J. S. K. Axson, R. K. Porter, J. Cunningham, and G. Dowse. The present Committee on Domestic Missions was reappointed, with the addition of R. K. Porter, J. S. K. Axson, Gideon Dowse, Wm. Shear, and William A. Walton. [*Committee on Do. Missions.*] Presb. spent some time in devotional exercises A Recess was taken until seven Oclock, at which time Brother Lane preached his trial Sermon. It was sustained. The several examinations, & all the written parts of trial, of the Candidates, Charles W. Lane, and John R. Dow, having been sustained; and they having answered in the affirmation the questions required to be put to candidates, they were, after Prayer by the Moderator, licensed to preach the Gospel wherever God in his Providence may call them. [*C. W. Lane and J. R. Dow Licensed*] 325. Woodstock April 1855. The Committee to whom the subject of the endowment of Oglethorpe University was referred made the made the following Report which was adopted. Whereas, the Synod did, at its last meeting, resolve to make an effort to raise $25,000, for the endowment of a fourth Professorship in the Oglethorpe University; and whereas the prosperity of the Presbyterian Church does, in our judgement, depend, in a great measure, on the prosperity of that Institution; and, whereas, that Institution cannot prosper and accomplish all that is expected of it, without a full endowment; - and whereas, the Synod appointed a Committee to carry out its wishes in the premises, and this Committee has appointed the amount necessary among the several Churches, therefore, Resolved [*Oglethorpe Endowment*] I. That we cordially commend the enterprise to the confidence and liberality of all our Churches. II That we urge and earnestly request the Sessions of our Churches to make an Effort to raise the amounts severally apportioned to them, in the way that seems best to each Session - The following subjects of trial were assigned to F. H. Bowman. Latin Exegesis, An Christus mortuus sit pro precatis omnium hominum? - Crit. Exercise Heb. 6: 1-6. Lecture I Cor. 4: 1-4. Sermon Rom. 14: 17. [*Trials F. H. Bowman,*] The Commissioners to the Ass. were directed to procure a Copy of the Minutes of the Ass. for each Minister & each Church and to draw on the Treasurer for the necessary funds to pay for them. On Sabbath afternoon at three Oclock Presb. met to hear the Missionary Report. An address was made by Brother Lane and a collection taken up. Adjourned to meet at Richmond Bath on Thursday before the 4th Sabb. in September, at eight O'clock P.M. Closed with Prayer, singing, & the Benediction. S. S. Davis Moderator. Francis Bowman S. Clerk, Examined and approved at La Grange, by the Synod of Georgia November 16th, 1855. C. P. Beman Moderator