The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-04-06
An EXTRAORDINARY LAWSUIT.
GEORGE II. STUART AND A CHURCH PRO-
PERTY INVOLVED.
From the New York Evening Post.


From the New York Evening Post.
A lawsuit of great interest and Of an
extraordinary kind for this country, in
volying the title to the valuable property
lof the First Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Philadelphia, has for several
weeks occupied the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, now in session in that city.
The case is of singular character,
having arisen solely from the fact that a
prominet member of the church in ques-
ton sang hymns in public worship
whereas the principles of the Reformed
lPresbyterians, the modern representatives
OF Tie Scottish Convenanters, prescribe
kousa's version of the Psalms of David
as the "only fit medium Tor tuneful
praise Io.a.sI :.
The offender was George H. Stuart, of
Philadelphia, president Of the Christian
Commission during the war of the rebel
lion, and q man widely known for his
benevolent use Of his large wealth. Du-
ring session Of the Reformed PreSby-
terrain General Synod, held in this city in
1867, Mr.. Stuart, who was member of
the body, remarked la speech that he
was in the habit of singing hymns. On
the day following this confession, the
Rev. DIR. Douglas, of Pittsburg, intro
duced resolutions declaring Mr. Stuart's
seat in the Synod vacant, and referring
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 psalmody,
according to the order and discipline of
the church in such cases.
The Synod voted, at the of
the close session, to return those
resolutions to the mover. At the
next session of the Synod, how
ever, which was held at Pittsburg, Pa,
the subject was again brought up, and
after long and excited debate, Mr.
Stuart was suspended from his seat in the
Synod, his eldership in the church and
his right to partake Of the communion
His suspension was based upon the fact
that be had publicly sung hymns, and
had also joined in the sacraments with
members of other sects.
| The Presbytery with which Mr.. Stu
arts church was connected refused to .ac-
knowledge the action Of the Synod as
binding, and his pastor, the Rev. DR..
Wylle, with majority of the congrega-
ton, sustained him, and continued to
treat him as member of tho 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 service in the hall of the
Academy of Music. They claim to be
the true First Church, and that the mai
GRITTY, by their disobedience to the Synod
have forfeited their title On this ground
they have brought suit for the possession
OF the church property.
The case has excited great interest in
Philadelphia and among Presbyterians
everywhere A despatch from Phila.
delphia, dated yesterday, says:
"Mr. Stuart was on the witness stand
| to day for four hours, and the court room
was jammed with interested spectators
He deposed that he never sang hymn at
a Reformen Presbyterian Church service,
except on one occasion, at the church OF
the Rev. DR.. Mcleod, of New York.
This reverend gentleman was present in
court, aiding the party who suspended
Mr. Stuart, and who are now trying to
eject him and his pastor, the Rev. DR..
Wylie, from their house of worship"