BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. CHAPTER IX., SECTION III., SUB-SECTION LXXXIII. (Anté, pp. 672-683.) Judicial Decisions by certain Synods were reported to the Assembly by the Judicial Committee, and by the Assembly confirmed—viz., 1, 2, 3, 4. 24. Complaint Dismissed.-Reasons Assigned. a. Not in Order; no Evidence of Notice; nor of Injustice done. Case No. 1. An appeal and complaint of H. D. Brown against a decision of the Synod of Pennsylvania affirming a decision of the Presbytery of Western Africa deposing him from the office of ruling elder. The Committee recommend that the case be dismissed, for the reason that it is not in order as presented, there being no complaint nor evidence of notice of complaint, nor reason to suppose from the records of the Synod that any injustice has been done to the appellant either in the Presbytery or Synod. Adopted 1886, p. 73. b. Because final Jurisdiction is in the Synod. No. 2. The appeal and complaint of Rev. George N. Smith against a decision of the Synod of New York refusing to sustain his appeal and complaint against the Presbytery of Geneva for certain irregularities in the proceedings in regard to which the Synod has final jurisdiction. The Committee recommend that the case be dismissed. No. 3. The complaint of J. W. Cummings and S. C. Faris against the Presbytery of Wooster for changing the terms of a call without the consent of parties. The Committee recommend that the case be dismissed, for the reason that final jurisdiction in the case belongs to the Synod, which has already acted in the case. No. 4. The complaint of certain members of the former Central church of Jacksonville, Ill., against the action of the Synod of Illinois in refusing to sustain their complaint against the action of the Presbytery of Springfield in uniting the First and Central churches of Jacksonville. The Committee recommend that the case be dismissed for the reason that the Synod is the court of last resort in such cases.-1886, p. 73. The Judicial Committee reported cases 6, 7 and 8, and its recommendations were adopted-viz: c. The Case Remanded with Instructions. No. 6. The appeal and complaint of Rev. Leo Baier against the Synod of Minnesota for not sustaining his complaint against the Presbytery of St. Paul for dissolving the pastoral relation between the First Presbyterian church and Rev. C. C. Herriott; for allowing an elder to sit in Presbytery after he had received a dismission from the church; and, for accepting control of the records of Session. The minutes of the Synod are defective in not specifying the points upon which it based its action in hearing Mr. Baier's complaint, and for not giving its reasons for the same. They recommend that the case be remanded to the Synod for a new trial, or for a more specific statement of the case and of the reasons for its decision.— 1886, p. 93. d. The Pastoral Relation not Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Assembly. No. 7. The complaint of Rev. William W. Campbell against the Synod of Baltimore; for not sustaining his complaint against the Presbytery of Baltimore for dissolving the pastoral relations between him and the Grove church; and, for its action upon the report of the Home Missionary Committee of the Presbytery having reference to himself. The Judicial Committee recommended that the complaint be dismissed, as such cases are not subject to the jurisdiction of the General Assembly.-1886, pp. 93, 94. e. Because the Complainant had no Right of Complaint, and because the Case had been Adjudicated by the proper Judicatory. No. 8. The complaint and appeal of Saharanpur Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, India, against the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, and against the Furrukhabad Presbytery, because of the reception of Rev. J. S. Woodside by the Presbytery and the approval of its action by the Board. The Committee recommended the rejection of the complaint and appeal for the reason that the Saharanpur Presbytery has no right of complaint or appeal to the General Assembly, and because the Synod of Northern India, in accordance with the action of the Assembly of 1884, has adjudicated all questions belonging to the case.1886, p. 94. CHAPTER XII., SECTION CXIV. (Anté, pp. 753-755.) 11. A Member may not be Received on a Letter from Swedenborgians. An overture from the Presbytery of Dayton asking, "Is it admissible for a Session or minister by any official act to recognize the Swedenborgian Church as a Christian Church; as, for instance, to recognize its certificate of church-membership as valid?" The Committee recommends the following answer: "In view of the great doctrinal differences between the Swedenborgians and ourselves, the Assembly regards the reception of church-members upon certificate from them as inadmissible. It is not intended by this deliverance, however, to deny the Christian character of many who are known as Swedenborgians." Adopted 1886, p. 37. INDEX. ABBOT, C. J., 706. A Abbreviations in Records, 514. of Parties, 702-708, 716. of Records, etc., 704-706, 712, 738-740. from Ordinances, 605, 640-642, 719. Abstinence from Ardent Spirits, 596, 597. Accusations, Caution in Receiving, 613. Citation of, 118, 617-620, 683. Second Citation of, 619, 623, 633, 636. Suspension of, Pending Trial, 631, 632- Accuser in Judicial Cases, 610, 611-613. Addenda, Assembly of 1886, 853-858. Josiah B., 690. Animals, Cruelty to, 609. Apostles' Creed to be Taught, 800. Appeal from the Chair, 205, 207, 515, 518, without Debate, 207, 518, R. 36. Judicial Powers of the Assembly, 217, of the Synods, 191, 509. of the Presbyteries, 144, 491. Record of, to be Transmitted, 627, 737- in Cases without Process, 640. and Complaints Consolidated, 691. who may Appeal, 496, 639, 640, 663, Limitation of Time, 699, 700. Personal Attendance, 702, 704. Appellant, Rights of, 628, 691, 709. Adams, William, 814, 815. Arthur, William, 620, 621, 628, 722. Atwater, James, 722. Baier, Leo, 857. Baldwin, C. H., 706. Bancroft, A., et al., 496, 717. Appellant: Barnes, Albert, 226, 227, 628, 692. Bourne, George, 628, 704, 716, 740. Boyd, Samuel, 717. Breckinridge, Robt., et al., 673. Condit, Isaac H., 510. Craighead, Thomas B., 223, 226, 701, 707, 708, 728-730, 737. Cross, A. B., 710. Cummings, J. W., 857. Dobbins, Robt. B., 712. Donaldson, Heber, 739. Fishbach, George, 692, 700. Hamilton, Duncan, et ux., 705. Hill, Maria, 619. Hotchkiss, G. A., 641. Mifflinsburgh, Church of, 678. Miller, John, D. D., 524, 713, 717. Miller, Silas, 717. Peck, Harlan, 629, 711. Price, David, 127, 584, 671. Ramsey, Jefferson, et al., 710. See, Isaac M., 525, 526, 713, 717. Severance, John F., 704. Wilson, Joshua L., et al., 693. Worrell, T. F., 652, 718, 733, 737. Appellee, 691. of Adults, 129, 130, 806, 807. Instruction to be Given on, 845. Baptized, Care over, 580, 800-803. Relation to Church, 580, 581, 610, 800, Discipline of, 560, 610, 801. Admission to Communion, 800-803. Roll of, to be Kept, 486. Included in Letter, 486, 582, 753. Barnes, Albert, 226, 227, 669, 670. Beecher, Wm. H., 689, 727. Bell, Benjamin, 700, 704. Bell, Joseph E., 626, 721. Benediction, when Required, 332, 412, 543. Benevolence, Committee of, 455, 566. Betting, 301, 592. Bigamy, 811, 812. Bills and Overtures, Committee of, 213, 516, 519, 520. Right of, to Floor, 516, R. 11. Birch, Thomas L., 151, 695. BISHOPS OR PASTORS, 112-114, 476–478. Charter of, 354, 355, 359, 360. Board of Missions, 423, 424. of Home Missions, 426-430, 555-558, Charters of, 425, 427-430. Relation of, to Foreign Board, 557, 558. |