Discussions (Vol 2) - Dabney - XXVII - The General Assembly of 1881 concluded

Required reading
Discussions (Vol 2) by Robert L. Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'The General assembly of 1881'.

My summary
Today Dabney finishes his summary of the events at the General Assembly of 1881.

He now speaks about:
(i) a judicial case of fraud;
(ii) the interests of Columbia Seminary;
(iii) the theological education of pastors;
(iv) the Revised Directory for Worship;
(v) the report of the Committee of Foreign Correspondence;
(vi) the report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures.

What grabbed me
I was interested in the process of calling Dr Palmer to teach at Columbia Seminary:

'Hence it is for the highest interests of the church, that her best men and best talents be devoted to rehabilitating this school of pastors. But from this point of view, every eye and every hand points naturally to Dr. Palmer, the former professor, the ex-pastor of the Columbia Church, as the one man who is able to give the necessary impulse to the Seminary. He has laboured long and hard in the most onerous pastoral positions; his experience is ripe; his age has reached that stage when his bodily vigour, adequate to many more years of efficiency in the more quiet academic walks, may be expected to flag under the enormous strains of a metropolitan charge such as his. This consideration goes far to counterpoise our sense of his great importance to New Orleans and the Southwest, and our sympathy with the grief of a bereaved charge there.

These views, eloquently advanced by the representatives of the Seminary, Drs. Girardeau and Mack, proved so influential that the Assembly approved the action of the Board in electing Dr. Palmer, by & large majority; the dissidents being the immediate representatives of the city and Synods which would lose him. But while the Assembly cordially sanctioned Dr. Palmer's return to the Seminary, should his own sense of duty lead him thither, its courtesy towards his church and immediate associates in the Southwest prevented it from applying any urgency to his mind.'

Shouldn't high consideration be given to those who currently have the pastor serving among them?

I'm never pleased with the Presbyterian form of church government where people far removed from a church have power over their pastors.

Next week's reading
Read 'A thoroughly educated ministry'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.