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try to heal any division that may exist in the church. Dr. Wm. Neill, Messrs. McMullin and Bradford, were appointed.
This committee likewise attended to the business assigned them, for on July 1st, 1823, presbytery being in session, and the subject coming up for their action, it was considered, and finally resolved that leave be granted to the congregation to prosecute the call for Mr. Cornish; but the whole thing was for the present frustrated by the minority, they appealing to synod against the action of presbytery. To be brief upon this subject, for it is in no way pleasant to dwell upon, the entire matter was taken to synod upon the appeal, and the synod confirmed the action of the presbytery; consequently the commissioners were at liberty to prosecute the call. The decision of synod being made known to the minority, they appealed from the decision to the general assembly. Before the general assembly met, the minority concluded to drop the matter, at least so far as any action of the assembly may concern it.
In the mean time, however, both parties were not idle in their endeavors to obtain their several ends this was unfortunate. If anything could have been done, at this juncture, to heal the unhappy differences between these brethren, how desirable and blessed would it have been! what a tremendous blow to the cause of Christianity, the progress of our own denominational interests in Philadelphia, the union and harmony among our people, would have been arrested. But alas the friends of the church were doomed to sad disappointment that blow fell; it fell with fearful violence, and its effects are felt even at this late period, from which I am writing. How true it is that great effects from very small causes grow So in this instance it was but a very little matter in the
