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will be entitled to a vote in the election. (Min. book, pages 2-3.)
On Thursday, May 8, 1822, agreeably to public notice, the congregation met in the church, Dr. Janeway presiding. He opened the meeting by addressing the throne of Grace for direction in the business that called them together; after which, he gave a suitable discourse to the occasion, and informed the congregation that if it was their wish he would proceed to take the votes for the election of a pastor. A motion was here made for an indefinite postponement of the election. This motion was put, and lost, 53 voting for, and 79 against it.
The Moderator requested a nomination, when the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish was nominated. The Moderator asked if there was any other nomination. There being no other candidate offered, the congregation proceeded to ballot, which being done, the votes were counted, when it was found that 78 votes were in favor of Mr. Cornish, and 48 against him. Mr. Cornish was then declared elected. A call for Mr. Cornish was ordered, and the congregation directed the trustees and elders to sign the call when made out. The following named brethren were appointed as commissioners to prosecute it before Presbytery Robert Douglas, Ezekiel Harmon, and Quamany Clarkson. (Extract from Min., pages 3 & 4.)
To say that this election passed off peaceably, would be more than I can venture to affirm. It would be a pleasant duty so to record it, but unfortunately for the church and the cause of the Redeemer, it created an unhappy state of things in the church. The minority (and it was by no means a small one) was opposed to Mr. Cornish, not on account of anything against his character as a man or a Christian; not because he was
