Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-10-23

tmpt utuc 10 Introduce the sVStem OF nmitet
terms had seriously affected the usefulness OF
this church and asked that this Synod place its
condemnation upon it. He defended the action
of the Presbytery and said that among those
who voted against the action of that body were
two members of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Rev. DIR. Bullock, of the Virginia Synod,
who was present WAS invited to sit cor
responding member; also, Rev. DR.. Rankin, OF
the Congregational Church OF this city.
The roll of the Washington Presbytery was
called, and the members called upon 20 explain
THE GROUNDS or THE DECISION GIVEN.
Rev. MIR. Henson, of Jamestown, Md,
asked Judge Strong 1t the first step in the
agitation of this subject was not on account OF
tina expulsion of the old elders.
Judge Strong thought not.
Elder Henson explained his vote to be on the
unconstitutiOnality of the limited term.
Rev. j. y. Coombs was called upon, and de-
elined to say anything, as he was moderator of
the presbytery when the action complained of
Rev. S. S. Mitchell, of the New York
avenue church, said he was not permitted
10 vote on the occasion, but wished TO make
some remarks. Rev. Mr.. Chester had fallen
into one OF two mistakes, one of which was that
they had proposed TO remove permanent elders
without their consent. No such intention ex
listed. he felt assured. he contended that the
term of service had been left to the church by
the general assembly, and he read from the re-
port OF the general assembly In support OF his
views, showing that the language was unmis-
taxable. Another thing was that the pea,.. and
unity of this church had been seriously inter
tcred with. He denied this, AMI said the pr1,-
fest, aud no one knew Of any such disturbance.
He then invited their attention to the minutes
OF the church, showing its rapid growth.
10 was a matter of denCagy for him to SPEAK of
this, and he would torbear, bat the work OF tn.
church would speak for Itself. He stated that
II they could have a vote OF the ministers o.
this city on this subject the action OF the church
would be most heartily Sustained. An allus son
had been made TO their position in the can't A.
OF the nation; they were well aware OF this, and
were proud OF it. He cOntended that the action
II inst
compelling them TO wait two years, and asking
that their action be declared null and void. and
the elders declared as private members. They
had now been waiting two years and half,
obedient like good children, and now asked to
be relieved. The lamented DIR. Gurley had been
with them on this question; DR.. Noble, Dr. Mus
grave and other eminent men, and he asked
il these were 10 be regarded AS crest
less young men," as had been asserted here.
The question was not as TO the expediency of
rotary elections; that is matter for the church
es to decide for themselves. As a rule he was
opposed to il and so were many others, and
honestly too as matter of eXpediency, but in
view OF church authority no one would question
the validity of it. The real question is sis the
matter of term service one of hberty?" 1t this
church decide that it is, would it not be wrong
TO deprive them of IT, especially as the peace
and success of the church depends upon it, He
denounced as arbitrary and unwarrauted-the
interference on the part of the presbytery; it
was bad faith and a direct denial of the liberty
granted them by the general assembly
The evasion by the presbytery of the decision OF
the general assembly should be condemned
They stood there simply to ask for their rights
the right they have under decisions of synots
and OF the constitution OF the Presbyterian
church universal He would take his seat, feel
ing confident tn At Justice would be DONE
Rev. Charles Beach, of Jamestown, a mem
Der of the presbytery, explained that when the
action OF the preShNteTy was taken. his views
were that the church had departed from the
rules laid down by the general assembly, which
he understood were: that life elders could not he
removed by any rotary process. He thought
this had always been tenet OF the assembly.
other members explained their votes AVID at
II O'Clock the synod took a recess until O'clock.
AFTER RECESS.
The Synod was called to order at one o'clock
hy The MODERATOR, and no one Offering any fur
thor explanation of their votes. Rev. Dr..
Mitchell stated the negative and positive sides
of the question at issue as understood bv the
members OF his church in session, and the rela-
tive votes given ON each side.
The roll Of the synod was called and each
member limited to three minutes in remarks
upon the subjebt.
Rev. DR.. BaCkUs would express no opinion
publicly as to the eXpcdienCy Of the action o.
the presbytery. II he had been called upon t.
give his private opinion he would say that the
action OF the presbytery was unwise.
Rev. A. Il. Cross thought the church had
done wrong in not following the former custom
of the church in the election of the elders in the
absence of any express authority.
Rev. j. b, Smith thought the law of the gen
eral assembly was very cloudy, and to say the
least contradictory. lie should sustain the &c
ton of the presbyteTy.
Rev. James l.. Maxwell thought the church
had right to do As they had done.
Kew. Mr.. Edwards, Of Wilmington, took the
same view.
Rev. ID. c. Marquis, Of Baltimore. thought
the church had acted COnscienciOusiy and Ie-
cOrdng to their understanding OF the ACT OF
the general assembly. He wished the question
settled by the assembly, and would vote not 20
sustain the appeal
Rev. DR.. Rankin sustained the action Of the
presbytery, ard cOntended that the church had
acted uncOnstitutiOnally.
Rev. John l. Paxton sustained the appel
lants.
Rev. John L. Fulton sustained the church
Judge Rentch, Of Hagerstown, sustained the
Rev. Dr. Patton thought the life tenure the
constitutional manner of electing elders. He
was an old true blue Presbyterian, and rejo'ced
in seeing an old aud respectable edership.
Rev. Mr.. Galley, of Cecil county, thought the
decision of the general assembly on the subject
an unfortunate one, az It was vague. Under
the circumstances he should sustain the church.
Rev. j. q. Hammer would sustain the church.
All the members of the synod expressed th sIr
opinions briefly, and vote was Afterwards
taker.
VOTE SUSTAINING THE ACTION OF THE NEW
YORK AVENUE CHURCH.
The vote was sustain or "nOt sustain" the
appeal, and resulted in the vindicatiOn OF the
church by a vote Of ~ to sustain against 10 to
not sustain, and votes qualified with the words
Sin part" The Presbytery of Washington was
not allowed to vote, being interested parties
INGENIOUS EsCAPEoF EIGHT INMATES OF rns
WORKHOUsE.-Last night, eight colOred INN ates
Of the wOrkhouse, confined in the fourth story
the Asylum building succeeded in making their
escape by bending the bars of the window and
letting themselves down by their blankets
which they twisted into q rope. The escape
was well managed, as they made no noise VIII At
ever; neither the inmates of the adjoining rooms
nor the watchman, who was about 20 feet from
the place when they struck the ground, being
aware of the escape at the time. The same
party had made attempts before TO gain their
liberty, but were fOiled, and this is the first
escape of party during Mr.. HOdgsOn's admin
istTatiOn. They are OLD birds, well known 70
the police, and will doubtless be Gagged in few
hours.
FLORENCE's Improvisation of Captain Cutie
in the play of ." DOmbey & Son. attracted an
appreciative audience TO Walls Opera House
but not so large as the merits OF that fine actor
and the company supporting him deserve. Such
aEt-.ti.,