The General Assembly [pp. 521-553]

1851.] Dr. McGill's Letter. 523
reasons satisfactory to himself, tender to this General Assem bly, through the Board of Directors of that Seminary, the
resignation of his Professorship. And whereas, in the progress
of this affair, the cause which led to this act, on the part of Dr.
McGill, is supposed to be effectually removed, so that although
he could not see his way clear to withdraw his resignation,, yet
he is now willing to remain in his present post. And whereas,
the interests of that important and increasingly useful institution
most urgently demand the continuation of his services, therefore
Resolved, That in the judgment of this Assembly, Dr. McGill
will most effectually serve the Church and promote the interests
of the Redeemer's kingdom by remaining in his present office.
This minute was adopted, after a protracted discussion, by a
vote unanimous with the exception of the two votes from the
Cincinnati delegates. Dr. McGill having conditionally accepted
a call to a church in Cincinnati, accounts for the delegates from
that place wishing that his resignation might be accepted. In
the course of the debate on this subject, the Rev. Mr. Howard
read the following letter from Dr. McGill, which it is due to
that gentleman to make a part of the history of this case.
LETTER FROM DR. McGILL.
I hope the General Assembly will pardon the trouble, and
not deem it wholly irrelevant, for me to submit a concise statement of facts, connected with my resignation of the place which
I have held for nine years. Much misrepresentation has been
made, undesignedly, no doubt, for the most part, yet calculated
to perplex my mind in the course of duty; if not also to
diminish my usefulness. I had laboured four years, in two
departments of the Seminary; and had become finally discouraged, with the impression that our defective organization of the
Faculty would be continued an indefinite period longer; notwithstanding the injunction of the last General Assembly to
increase the finances of the Institution, for the support of a
third Professor.
A communication was received, last summer, from the Seventh
Church of Cincinnati, submitting to me, that they would elect
me to be their pastor, if I would favour their application; I
answered, with expressions of fondness for the pastoral relation,