Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-04-23

town a century, during which time she mas
enjoyed almost uninterrupted good health
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
DIFFICULTY.
We have been intending for some time
mast 10 offer few remarks upon topic in
respect 10 which the reputation, not to say
the actual well-being of our city is intimate
w concerned. A gentleman sustaining q
liph position IN one of the leading denom-
nations of our country was, II few months
since, invited to the pastoral office in one OF
our churches-a church founded about l3O
wears ago, and around which cluster not
few interesting historic associations. This
church had always been loyal to the GOV
eminent. and to the General Assembly gifts
own denomination. But upon the breaking
out of the Shareholders rebellion, and when
our city pastors generally came out on the
side of the Government, there were good
many members of their congregations in
sympathy with secession; and who, oil
course. became dissatisfied with their Pas
tors loyalty: and many OF these dissatisfied
individuals finally resolved to make the
First Presbyterian Church their resting
place They did so; and for time obtained
a controlling influence in that congregation,
TO the great grief of its loyal members;
some OF whom felt obliged to renounce their
connection with it to avoid being implicated
in its disloyal proceedings. So stood the
matter for time. But on the resignation
of its late minister in November last, it was
the determination of the loyal portion OF
the church to secure the services of Loyal
Pastor; or, in case of their failing to do So
10 take some cliectual measures by which
they would cease any longer to be impl
Gated in the guilt of disloyalty and treason
Near tho close OF last January an election iol
Pastor was held, which resulted in the choice
of Dr. Lands, who had served as chaplain
in our army during gthe war, and wa
then appointed by the General Assem-
bly, of the Presbyterian Church, to the Pro
Censorship of Theology in the Danville Theo
logical Seminary and he occupied DR.. r. ]
Brecknridges char in that institution dur
ing the year foi which That eminent an;
distinguished divine had obtained leave o
absence DR.. Lands accepted the invita-
lion of the First Church IN our city, and be
came its Pastor-elect; the board of trustees
the session, and deacon, together with III
majority of legal voters in the congregation
concurring in his election. And the Tela
tive strength of the parties may be learne
from the fact that during the past year, a
we are informed, some $4,000 have bee
raised by the congregations of which abou
$500 were contributed by the opposition
and the remainder by those who have Il
vited DR.. Landis 10 the Passionate.
So stands the matter; and thus this chuTc
has noby redeemed itself from the thraldoi
of disloyaty. The minority have sougl
through the action OF Prcsbytery to ignoi
these proceedings, but an appeal-publishC
by us in our issue of Tuesday last-hi
been taken from their action to the Gener
Assembly winch meets in Cincinnati in Ma
next; which appeal stays all proceeding
until 1t is issued
These, as far as we have been able
learn, are the real facts of the case. d
lands is laboring with great acceptance
build up this old historic church; and Il
manner in which he has been assailed
the insignificant minority who are oppos
TO him, and who have sought to effect the
purpose through the Presbytery, and
bringing into action every conceivable p
lilical influence antagonistic to true loyalt
has awakened deep interest in all I
friends of loyalty in the city, and, we m
add in the State itself. The Presbyte
has claimed to take possession of his pull
until the 14th of May next, two days beiC
the meeting of the General Assembly; 81
posing, probably, that lie would be absent
order to attend that body. DIR. Lands
ylsed the church to let them have the pull
on the Sabbath, and requested leave Of
congregation to be absent during the til
But the congregation which was very lar
filing the whole house-requested him
remain during the interval, only two IL
viduals voting in the negative.
In the meantime, four OF the pulpits of
city churches Of different denominatio
have, by their Pastors, been thrown opel
Dr. Lands, and he is with great kindr
and cordiality invited to occupy them. I
isas it should he. It is what we should Ii
looked for from those learned and acc
plisled christian gentlemen, and DR.. Ian
viii, we hope, be enabled to preach for
If them
We have heard of insults offered TO
.tndis in the streets at night by rowe
who have evidently been set on by poll