Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-07-16
THE FzRsTPREsBYTERI CHURCH
AND THE MINORITY.

readers apprized OF its real merits, ana the
actual issues involved, and the recent
aspect il has assumed calls therefore lorar re
mark. The interest felt in it so extensively
by the community, arises not from any de-
nominational Partially, for all denomina-
lions alike participate therein; but from inc
fact that the main question involved, TO wit;
wacther majority is to be controlled or ae-
priped Of their rights By minority, on techhi-
cal or aay other grounds in their choice Of
Pastors But let us briefly recur to tue facts
in the case
It is well known and remembered that
during the pastorate of the minister who re-
| signed in November last, this church, by
the accession of a considerable number oil
members. (who had left other churches i'll
our city on account OF what they called
political preaching,'D became so strongly
in sympathy with the Southern rebellion,
that prominent members would get UP and
leave the house, when any thing was said in
the pulpit in favor OF our governments and
that a number of patriotic families, unable
TO tolerate such Il stale OF things, renounced
their connection with il. twas called "the
secession church, p" and what not. But after
hearing several candidates for the pulpit, it
was resolved to gointo an election for Pastor,
in the latter part of January last Due
notice had been given from the pulpit, and at
the election Dr. Lands received eighty eight
votes, and the opposing candidate seventy
five The election was a fair one, and the
vote the largest that had ever been polled
in the congregation, and such was the result
G But the minority (stTongly counseled to
that effect, by neighboring clergyman and
d several Others refused TO acquiesce, and to
d respect the right of the majority to determine
a the matter; and by the aid OF number o
y sympathizers in Presbylery, the election
= was voted null and void An appeal wa'
taken IRON this decision, which brought III,
at whole matter before the General Assembly
m but at,the last moment the appellants wer
C. persuaded to withdraw il, by the promis
re- that they might hold another election, an
he that whoever might be chosen should be in
ne stalled Pastor by the Presbytery-
oil After waiting suitable time, another cleo
ton was held, and DR. Lands was chose
To- by a largely increased vote, the minorit
10 not even attempting to bring forth their cal
'or didate This election, too, the Presbyterl
ew at its late meeting, has attempted to set asd
or an" - "',o'N Us ...,
~, englueei' ~ seeessio" '"o'iVs' 10 " 's'''
Tor the First Church subservient TO minom
of its legal and constitutional electors.
the AS the minority had expressed their d
sed termination to contest the legal right of Il
has majority (Which, of course, legally and c
cry Realistically constitute the First Churc
IN to the house of worship, tile First Churc
red itself had designed to keen the house clos
ice. until the legal issue should be determine
itch and in the meantime meet in tile Institu
Ii Rut "A 81 late ,neetinr of tbe BOARD of Trl
the tees. one of those members to whom
I in rights or the First Church had heen sacre,
entrusted goted Ia transmut bose yig6ts to
ned ninority. and by This act. which the pul
the will he nj M loss IA annreciite thc bo,
rails was taken from the First Church and ri,
king to the minoutyl
so stands the case Inc flrsl Cnur
however, retains It's organization and
retain il Its Sabbath School Will meet
eng the Institnte lin one of the rooms) vii
nus lis evening nraver meetings and other
rong vices will also he held. Tie ORGANIZATION
'that comnle,e md nerfcct Mr. Armstrong is
cart recn,arlv elected and installed elder
, eX- sees,on Aud The ordinances will he odmi
&c oil tered as nsual so soon AS fine reunlsite
her ronooments can he made far fine rernlor
minis,rat,on of them rhe minority
aren' probably hold its meetings in the old Chu
men Rrt their bovinr obtaired nossesaion in
ZONES way thew have. no more entities them to
was rights and name Of the majority (,sho Al
get IN constitute The First church, than tbe q
must tors of HAT house and LOT who mirht %
il to he sold and then purchase it. e.