The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-16
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Extraordinary Lawsuit.

. n o. si.f,I- r.. . 4.
The following notice of case now be- |
the boosted freedom of Professionals, that |
they alone are pre-eminently entitled to |
claim freedom in all things pertaining to |
worship. Here is q man extruded from |
the church because he sung hymns in
stead of braying through his nose after the
manner of Rouse. The following particu-
lars we take from the New York Evening
Post:
A lawsuit of great interest and of an ex-
traordnary kind for this country, involving
the title to the valuable property of the
First Reformed Presbyterian Church OF
Philadelphia, has for several weeks occu-
pied the Supreme Court of Penney lvania,
singular character, having arisen soieiy
from the fact that prominent member OF
the church in question sang hymns in pub
lie worship, whereas the principles of the
Reformed Presbyterians, the modern repre-
sentatives of the Scottish Covenanters. pre-
| scribe Rouse's version Of the Psatms Of
David AZ the "only ft medium for taneful
praise"
The offender was George H. Stuart, of
| Philadelphia, and q man widely known f. T
his benevolent use Of his large wealth.
During q session of the Reformed Presby-
terian General Synod, in 1867, Mr.. Stuart,
who was a member Of the body, remarked
! in q speech that he was in the habit OF
singing hymns. On the day following this
confession, the Rev. DIR. Douglas, of Pitts
STARTS seat in the synod vacant, and re-
ferring him to the session of the First
Church of Philadelphia, to be dealt with
for "gross violation of the established order
of this church in the use of human psalmo-
dy, according to the order and discipline OF
l<l.. ~. H.. y. hR nrnShufRrV
with which Mr.. Stuart's church was con-
nected refused to acknowledge the action
of the synod as binding, and his pastor, the
Rev. DR.. Wylie, with a majority OF the
congregation, also sustained him, and con-
tinued to treat him as o member OF the
church in good and regular standing. A
minority of the members of the First
Church, who approved the action of the
synod, thereupOn seeded, calling new
pastor, and holding services in the hail OF
the Academy of Music. They claim to OF
the true First Church, and that the major
ity, by their disobedience to the synod
have forfeited their title. On this grounc
they have brought suit for the possesslol
; of the church property.
The case has excited great interest IL
r Philadelphia and among Pres9yteridah'
every where. A dispatch from Phiiadei
phia, says: Mr.. Stuart was on the wines
stand for four hours, and the courtroom
. was jammed with Interested spectators
8 He deposed that he never sang hymn
i a Reformed Presbyterian Church service
except on one occasion, at the church 9
= the Rev. DR.. Mcleod, of New York. Thi
u reverend gentleman was at present l
+ court, aiding the party who suspended M
:, Stuart, aud who are now trying to eJet
J. him and his pastor, the Rev. DR.. Wyh'
from their house of worship"
It The Wanting sectarians, who do nj
n hesitate to excommunicate George
!, Stuart for singing hymns, now supplemel
~ their Christian honesty by attempting
rs get possession of the church which he ar
ot his friends built. Mr.. S., it seems, is
TO good enough Christian to build a Churt
49, for the reformers, but not good enough
sing the praise of God in it,