Richard Webster
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 276
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ... tained. "A member of the congregation of Norrington applied to the synod, supplicating the ordination of Mr. Kinkead, as fast as our stated rules and methods Till permit. The synod, at considerable length, heard the reasons offered by the Presbyteries of Philadelphia and Newcastle why they could not attend on the trials and ordination, so as to answer the request of the congregations. The congregations of Great Valley and Norrington belonging to Philadelphia Presbytery, they ordered that said presbytery should attend the trials and manage the ordination; and, lest a delay should be occasioned by the paucity and distance of the members, Mr. Cathcart is ordered to correspond with said presbytery as an assistant." He was ordained, and the synod ordered him "to correspond with Newcastle Presbytery in August." In 1754, he spent three months in Virginia, and was dismissed from his charge, and was publicly disowned by the presbytery, in 1757. Immediately on the union, (May 31, 1758, ) Philadelphia Presbytery directed Gilbert Tennent to write to him, and inform . him that he must desist from preaching at Middletown, (now in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, ) as it was offensive to the congregation and to the presbytery. He was informed of the time of the next meeting. The records of the presbytery furnish no further notice of him; but, in 1759, at his request, the synod appointed a committee to converse with him. "He came next day, and gave in a paper to the synod, as, he says, for his own exoneration, in order to his continuing a member. The synod, having never excluded him, concluded to consider and deal with him as a member. The minute being read to him, he refused membership notwithstanding." Windham, in New Hampshire, obtained his services, and...