“I shall never acquiesce in the doings of a factious minority, in destroying the just rights of a people; nor shall I resign my claims as a man, a minister, and a citizen, upon any ground of equivocal expediency.”Of the assurance I have that the rights of the people have been tampered with, there will be abundant evidence given. That a mere faction has been at work, it will scarcely be denied: and that the principle upon which a number have acted in the last onset, has been that of Caiaphas, who said “It is expedient that one man should die for us,” is too true. And I say, that that principle is unholy, and pernicious, notwithstanding that the Presbytery of Chemung have endorsed it. My right hand shall wither, before I sign my resignation upon the ground that Caiaphas stood, who slew the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. There is an expediency that is proper and right, when two courses seem equally right; but it is never expedient to do wrong. Justice and truth never forgive the violations of their laws; and no body of men, however appointed, has power to hurt the interests of another man, their equal, but for some crime in his past. No innocent man can be made the sacrifice to a cause, however holy that be, without his consent. I am neither found guilty of crime, not even charged with crime, and God has given no power to any tribunal on earth to inflict punishment, either expressed or implied, upon such a man as I am thus acknowledged to be, in the action of the Presbytery of Chemung, in February last.
Resolved, That this Presbytery entertain sentiments of the highest personal regard, toward the Rev. David Murdoch, D.D., as a member of this body, and they desire to speak in the strongest terms of his zeal, fidelity and ability in the discharge of the duties of the Pastoral office; and while they have felt it to be wise and expedient, in the circumstances, to recommend a dissolution of the Pastoral relation existing between him and the church of Elmira, they will ever cherish toward him an unabated attachment, and will offer up their continued prayers for the continued blessing of God upon his labors in the ministry.
A true copy from the minutes,
{Attest}
F. S. Howe,
Clerk of the Presbytery
February 28, 1860
Who, at a distance believed that there was nothing behind these smooth words? Did not the outside world ask what was the matter? When, under the cover of an advice, the severest infliction that can fall upon an affectionate Pastor comes down upon his head in a flattering unction from his own brethren! What they dared not do as judges, when they had no law to guide them, they do as professed friends, upon some unknown ground; for which they acknowledge themselves they have no authority – for they say “under the circumstances in which they [the papers before them] were presented, they do not properly authorize any further action of the Presbytery, than such as may be merely advisory.”
