Rare Book Monthly
Articles - October - 2003 Issue
The Doctrine of Caiaphas by Rev. David Murdoch D.D.
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The above letter is verbatim, and deserves special notice from some information it gives. First – that the church met by themselves and gave a unanimous vote; unanimous is underlined in the original copy. Second – it was a vote of all, male and female. Third – the congregation also met and gave a separate vote. Fourth – that one many was excused. Fifth – every vote was cast. Sixth – every man responded to his name. Seventh – the harmony was beyond expectation; and Eighth – it is implied in the letter; and expressed in the session-book, that a special notice was given from the pulpit on the previous Sabbath, intimating the business of the above meeting.
These several points of valuable information will be of use to us in the prosecuting of this history, and enable us to fix the usage of this church in the call of a Pastor, as well as in his dismission. The principle of the Presbyterian form of government being that the same essential care shall be had in the last as in the first; church and congregation being specially notified from the pulpit on the Sabbath-day previous to the election. All of this accorded with chap. iv., sec. 3, of the Form of Government.
I appeared in the pulpit of Elmira on the fourth Sabbath of April for the first time, with the call in my pocket, and preached to an audience similar to what is frequently seen in that house every month of the year. Some will remember it from the thunder-storm that came up shortly after eleven o’clock, causing dismal looks on all who had on their spring garments for the first time. My sermon was not much attended to, and, of course, I got all the blame for not being on better terms with the clerk of the weather. Some have never got over that shower yet; and if omens be worthy of notice on a marriage morning, my spiritual wedding betokened a stormy union. At the close of the evening service, the Session gathered around me in the aisle to hear my decision. Had I accepted at once, I believe now that all would have passed without a murmur; except from one quarter. After events showed that my over anxiety to satisfy all, was the unwise step which I made at that time. I gave back my call into the hands of the Session clerk, saying to them at the same time, “See what the mind of the people is concerning this day, and retain the call, or send it to me again, as you see fit.”
This act on my part was not expected on the part of the Session. They waited for my yes; and when Mr. Benjamin intimated the necessity of immediate decision, it was turned aside by me as something which I could not accede to, either as duty to myself, or as right to the people. But Mr. Benjamin knew what was best in the circumstances. He knew the persons to be dealt with better than I did, and spoke with his usual good judgment then, as he has often since. Whenever it was known abroad how I had left the matter, parties of like and dislike were ranged; and it is a curious fact, that the same leader that headed the opposition to Brother Priest was on the lead now, and has continued since.
The following letters will explain themselves:-
