This event, however, was very far from allaying the ferment. The portion of the people who favoured strict Presbyterianism, and the old version of Psalms, determined to apply to the Presbytery for direction and advice; and in this application the other party, at length, appear to have concurred. The Presbytery was accordingly consulted on these subjects, in the month of September, 1752. That body, knowing the importance and difficulty of deciding in the case, referred the whole controversy to the Synod, which met a few days afterwards, at Newark, in New-Jersey. The Synod took up the reference, and with great deliberation and judgment decided on the several articles of complaint. They directed that ruling elders be immediately chosen and set apart in the congregation. They gave leave to continue the use of Dr. Watts' imitation of the psalms of David, as orthodox and evangelical, especially as it appeared to be the choice of a majority; but they expressed their disapprobation of the manner in which it had been introduced, by a vote of the trustees, and a few other persons, without formally consulting the body of the church.

A committee, appointed by the Synod, came over to the city, the next week, to counsel and

aid the congregation in carrying these decisions into effect. They saw the order, respecting the choice and setting apart of elders, executed without delay: and their prudent advice and exertions were of much use in allaying the heat of the animosity which prevailed, and in inducing both parties to recede, in a degree, from their demands and criminations.

But the spirit of contention had become too inveterate to be speedily and effectually removed. Animosities, though allayed, were not extinguished. The want of prudence, and of a spirit of forbearance and conciliation, was manifested, in a lamentable degree, by both parties. And it became, in a little while, apparent, that much more remained to be done, before peace and harmony could be restored.

Hitherto these contentions had been confined to the members of the congregation. The pastors, though known to have opinions on the several subjects which became grounds of uneasiness, had as yet been able to stand, in a great measure, aloof from the contention, and to maintain a good understanding with both parties. This, however, in some measure, ceased to be the case

in 1753. In that year the party favourable to strict Presbyterian discipline, and to the old version of Psalms, began to prefer complaints against the ministers, as well as against their opponents in the congregation. They complained of the ministers For giving exhortations at funerals, when requested by the friends of deceased persons to do so:-For not paying formal ministerial visits, according to the usage of the church of Scotland:-For making the introductory prayer, in public worship, reading the scriptures, and giving out the first psalm, from the clerk's desk, instead of the pulpit: and finally, for secretly favouring the introduction of the new system of psalmody. These complaints were laid before the Presbytery, together with some new grounds of uneasiness which had arisen among the people themselves; and were, by that body, as in the former instance, referred to the Synod of New-York, which met in Philadelphia, in the beginning of October, 1753. The Synod after hearing the reference, appointed a large and respectable committee of their body to meet in NewYork, on the 24th day of the same month, to examine and decide upon all the grounds of uneasiness which had been exhibited to them. The committee met on the day appointed; and after

a full and patient hearing of all parties, completely exculpated the ministers from the charges pre ferred against them; and decided with much wisdom on all the other grounds of mutual complaint between the different parties in the congregation. And having exhorted the parties, with great solemnity and tenderness, to lay aside all animosity, and to study the things which make for peace, they adjourned till the next morning.

The next day Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Cumming appeared before the committee of Synod, and requested to be dismissed from their pastoral charge. The reasons which they assigned for this request, were the unhappy divisions subsisting among the people; the appearances of dissatisfaction on the part of the people toward them; and the small prospect of success, under these circumstances, in their future ministrations. In addition to these considerations, Mr. Cumming urged the feeble and declining state of his health, which rendered him altogether incapable of fulfilling the duties of his office.

Mr. Cumming's situation forbidding delay, the committee granted his request, and, on the 25th day of October, 1753, dissolved the pastoral re

lation which he had borne about three years. His dismission was a most honourable one, and was accompanied with ample testimonials of his excellent christian, and ministerial standing *, Mr. Pemberton, being in good health, and having endeared himself by a long and useful residence of twenty-six years with the congregation, the opposition made to his dismission was warmer and more serious: so great, indeed, was the opposition, that the committee of Synod determined not to comply with his request immediately; but advised him to remain one month longer with the congregation, and in case he should see no prospect, at the end of that time, of comfort and usefulness in his pastoral charge, they declared him at liberty to retire, and, in this way, gave him a kind of conditional dismission. He submitted to the judgment of the committee, and made the further trial which they proposed; but when the

Mr. Cumming, after being liberated from his pastoral charge in New-York, received a call from the Old South church, in Boston, to be a colleague with their aged and venerable pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sewall. He accepted the call; and resided in Boston, with honour to himself, and with usefulness to the church, about ten years. He died August 25, 1763, greatly respected, and universally la mented.