[ 22 ]
case, the General Assembly did and hereby do authorize the Presbytery of Philadelphia to consider the case of John Gloucester, and if they think proper, to license him to preach the Gospel." Extr Min. 1807, pp. 381, 387.
The communication from the Presbytery of Union (Tennessee), that elicited the above action of the General Assembly, as deduced from the resolution of the General Assembly, may not be unimportant, as it shows clearly the reasonableness of the action of the Assembly under the circumstances, and will go far to recommend to the favorable notice of the general reader, the character of Mr. Gloucester.
It will not be out of place here, to bring before the reader the action of the Philadelphia Presbytery, sitting in the second Presbyterian Church, in the City of Philadelphia, July 7, 1807, the following members of Presbytery being present: Dr. Wm v Tennant, Archibald Alexander, George C. Potts, Jacob T. Janeway, and James P Wilson, Ministers; Messrs. Benjamin Weeks, Hugh Henry, and John Harris, Elders. The Presbytery having ascertained that this meeting was agreeable to constitutional rules, summoned with a view to take into consideration the case of John Gloucester, referred to them by the last General Assembly, chose Mr. Alexander for Moderator, and Mr. Janeway for Clerk.
The case was then taken into consideration, when, after reading the document laid before the Presbytery relative to Mr. Gloucester, and having maturely deliberated on the circumstances in his case, the Presbytery were of opinion that as he has been educated under care of the Presbytery of Union, and as they are fully competent to decide on his case, and will be able to decide with more understanding than this Presbytery could
