Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-10

u VI.
TIE NEW YORK AVENUE cBURcH TROUBLE
DISCUSSED.
This body held an afternoon session yesterday
s. tie First Church. IA street.
Rev. J. =. Reeves was continued as the stated
supply az the 18th Street Church.
Rev. Mason Noble, OF the Judiciary commit
plant OF members OF the New York Avenue
church against the session of that church As To
the election Of ruling elders, that the majority
Of the committee fnd the complaint in order,
and recommend that IL be issued.
lie also submitted a minority report signed
by himself, in which he says: s'There is no evil
denee from the papers that the compliments
had ever given notice to the session that they
intended TO complain to the presbytsry with
their reasons for complaint. The session not
having been regularly notified, have appointed
no one 10 manage their case, and are not here
% party. There is, in fact, but one party be-
fore the preshytery. The complaint is there
fore not in order, and cannot be considered by
the presbytery as complaint"
DIR. Sunderland moved that the majority re-
port be accepted; agreed to, and the case was
carried before the presbytery.
Rev. Mr.. Metals read the complaint to the
PIesbytery, dated March 18th and signed by
John Randolph, Noble ID. Larner, Geo. Musser,
John Wilson, j. Russell Barr, C. Alexander,
q. Nj. Muncaster, j. III. Kerr, y. Theaker,
Walter Kerr, and James Wilkinson. They
complain of the action of the session in author
ling meeting of the church to elect two
elders for a term of four years instead of to
permanent rule, which meeting was held and
lNO hdTCn ID, 1855, pursuant TO the
action of a meeting of the church of October
10, ISL, and to the recent action of the session
Posiponing all further action respecting rotary
eldership and the ordination of new elders until
The general annual meeting of the church in
March next, meaning March Is, 1871 Also.
OF the prior acts of the session and church, as
fully set out in their complaint to the session,
dated November %, 1872. Also, of so much of
the action of said session embodied i'm their
reply to the complaint as sustains the previous
a. ton OF the church in the attempt 10 remodel
the tenure OF its eldership; and they respect
fully ask that their case be considered, and
THAT they be heard i'm connection with the an
nual review OF the seasonal records of said
church; and they further ask that the Presbytery
take such action as in its wisdom it may deem
best for the maintenance of the authority of
our standards in this church."
long debate ensued, occupying the re-
mainder OF the afternoon and evening ses-
SONS.
The Presbytery reassembled this morning, at
O'Clock, at Dr. Sunderland's church on AZ
street, and, after devotional exercises, Rev. Dr.
Sunderland announced the death of Dr.
Mel.ain, and was appointed to prepare min
ute for the Presbytery.
The Presbytery then proceeded with the case
OF the New York avenue church.
Mr.. Theodore Simpson, OF Georgetown, was
In favor of sustaining the action of the session.
Mr.. Van Doren, of East Washington, ex-
pressed himself in favor of the compliments;
Mr.: j. 5. II. Henderson, OF Nellsville, Nd,
ditto.
De. sCNDEELAND's ARGUMENT.
Rev. DIR. Sunderland had thought much on
the subject, and approached il with proper
sense of the responsibility resting upon the
fresbytery. He then read a long and able ar
gument in favor of sustaining the complain
ants of the New York avenue church, and gave
history of Presbyterianism both IN Europe
and America, contending that the principle OF
eleCt1ng officers for limited terms Is not sane
toned either by the letter or the spirit of the
rules for the government of the church, AMI
that there Is no documentary or any other evil
Genee to prove the legality or validity of such
elections. The assumption of the defence that
the churches have right to elect their officers
Tor limited term, or otherwise, as they choose
cannot therefore be admitted until there is
radical change in the organic law OF the church.
lie read letter from Rev. DIR. Hatfield, OF
\ ORR, stated clerk Of the General Assembly,
and one from Chief Justice Drake. OF the
nited States Court OF Claims sustaining his
view OF the case. He closed by announcing his
Intention OF voting 10 sustain the complaint
and TO annui the election in question
THE COMPLAINT SUSTAINED.
After further discussion on the subject vote
was taken, aud the complaint was sustained by
the Presbytery.
Revs. Or. Sunderland and Bittenger az -
Ter Bassett were appointed G".,,;t.,,, e -,
bring in minute Of the PROCEEDING 10 ia
On the record, P'o
Lev. s. 8. Mitchell, pastor of the New York
avenue church, gave notice of an appeal 10 the
Synod.
The Presbytery, at 2:l5 p. m, took recess
until O'Clock.