The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-04-13

ron was constituted the synod OF the West |
ern Reserve.
In 1929 the Albany synod again yielded
30 division and its western presbyteries
OF Ogdensburgh, Waterloo, 0swego, 0nei-
de and Otsego, became the synod Of Utica.
The four important syhods so much in
question, thus created, were the synods Of
ihe WeSteEl ReSerCe, Geneva, Genesee,
and Utica.
The Presbyterian Church, as in almost
all other religious communities, encountered
internal disputes on doctrine, and ranged
themselves into parties called the New and
Old Schools this has been until recently
division of opinion, not feeling. and kind
ly conducted on both sides. The General
Assembly at various times, had majority
OF either party. From 1881 to 1885 inclu-
sive the Old School prevailed. In 1896,
the New School was in the majority. In
1887, the Old School party had superior.
ity Of numbers, and in the session Of the
General Assembly Of that year, a resolu-
,tion, called the recinding measure was pass
ed. This vote cut off from the Church, the
-four synods Of The Western Reserve, Ge-
neva, Genesee, and Utica. These synods
contain 500 churches and notquie so many
pastors; their representatives were Of the
New School party. the ground of the ex-
cision, was connected with the opinions or
faith OF those synods, and the question of
unconstituionaily of the plan of Union of
1910, between the General Assembly COM
menced, and as might be expected, the pro-
cess of excisiOn, caused great difficulties
Delegates from the excinded synods, pre-.
sentcd their credentials to the usual officers,
the clerks, who declined to enrol their
names. The moderator of the past session,
DR.. Elliot, took his seat in the Assembly,
held in the Seventh Presbyterian Church,
according 10 the usual form. DIR. Patton,
of N. Y. offered resolutions; the moderator
declared them QUITO order,h appealed, and
the Moderator made the report Of the clerks,
inquired if any delegates were present,
whose names had been omitted. DR.. Ma
son, OF N. Y then presented the commits
sions from the excinded districts, and was
declared by the chair to be out of order.
He appealed, and that was a so declared TO
be irregular. The Rev. Mr.. Cleveland, of
Michigan, then moved that DR.. Beman, of
N. Y be appointed Moderator, protein, and
put the question 10 the Assembly. The
ayes were general there being but few
negatives; but whether the voting was uni
versal, was disputed. At this time great
confusion occurred-much noise-and the
evidence was contradictory upon the oppor-
tunity and the generality Of voting, and the
conduct Of the respective parties. The
Moderator thus chosen, DR.. Beman, pro-
ceeded to organize in the usual manner, and
the body Of New School delegates, includ-
ing the excinded portions, adjourned To the
First Presbyterian Churrh; and among 9th
er business, elected the six gentlemen nam
ed as Realtors, to the Office of trustees. The
remaining body also organized and transac-
ted business.
1t is not our purpose to offer opinions,
or adopt the evidence on either side, but
merely to furnish an ineligible view Of the
points in controversy, and the history oI
events which have involved them.
The charge of the Judge ruled the law in
favor of the Relators in emphatic language
He. held the extending resolution to be un
constitutional and void, and on the question
OF organization he charged the Jury that i
the delegates were prevented from hearin!
the question, or voting, by the clamors, ar
or measures Of the New School party, o
the audience, then the DR.. Beman Assem-
bly, was irregulary formed, and the Relalor
must fail in this issue;but If they believed
that the confusion was the act of the de
PENDANTS, or those who supported the DR.
Elliott house then they could take no ad
vantage Of their own wrong act and, III
verdict must be for the plaintiffs.
The Jury retired for a few minutes an
returned 10 the Court Derdict of GULL
against the defendants.
The discussion 10 the Jury was ably cor
Quoted by Messrs. Meredith and Wood 70
the plaintiffs, and by Messrs. kgersoH an
Preston for the defendants. The leadin
counsel for the reaiors, Josiah RQnat
Esq. was their original counsel and leg,
adviser during 1887, and yielded the prom
inenl position in the argument TO which h
was entitled, in order to open the cause {
the plaintiffs 10 the Jury; il is spoken
as mastery effort. The evidence of III
defendants was fully opened by F. w. HUI
bell, Esq.
The consequences Of the judgement uT
on this verdict will be according TO III
elayenth eact or a.. ,ot oP 1904 Il "a,