The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-20
WEsTFIELD,s CHuRCH WAR.
Ordered to vacnte n Pulpit nfter Fighting
for IL for Three Years.

After three years trial before the Eliza
beth Presbytery. the New Jersey Synod, and the
Presbyterian General Assembly. the famous
westneld church scandal was last night dis
posed OF In the Presbyterian synod In Elizabeth
Early In 1874 the west1eld church was
without pastor. and tho Rev. Alexander
Mckevey was invited to preach. the intention
being to retain him should he make a favorable
impression. This, It seems, he did, as q major
ity OF the congregation at a parish meeting
voted to extend the pastoral call to him. For
some reason, however, a minority, consisting
Of one hundred and seventeen members voted
against bis retention, and demonstrated. Not
withstandins this, the Elizabeth .Presbytery
placed the call IN Mr.. Mckelvey's hands by a
vote OF sixteen TO ten, ana he accepted II, and
was duly Installed.
Stories not the N ost nattering against his rep.
utation soon found willing ears, and the breach
became so widened that many withdrew from
the church.
At length the Rev. DR.. T. T. sheldon and
others complained to the synod. saying that the
rights and privileges Of the minority had been
disreRarded by the Presbytetv n prosecuting
the case Of Mr.. McKelvey. The synod sustained
the complaint, on the grounds OF un-
due h sts t.. a9G rIegular,,y oy the PIesby.
to review the whole subject OF the calling and
installation Of the Rev. hr. McKelvey aud to
secure for the petitioners full and fair hearing
before determining whether or not the pastoral
relation Of Mr.. Mckelvey should be continued
or dissolved. lhls the Elizabeth PresUytery
having represented that they had done. the MI
nOritr again appealed to the synod IN 1876. ask =
Ing dissolution, and the Synod recommend ed,
by unanimous vote, tnat MIR. Mckeivey resign.
Tne vote OF the Synod having been errOne-
ously announced and recorded and the minute
having been prepared and adopted ON the pre-
sumrton that the Presbytery was sustained !,
the minority appealed to the General Assembly,
which met In brooklyn In Nay 1876. and were
sustained, aud the Synod of New jersey and the
Presbytery OF Elizabeth were directed ana en-
joined oy that body to effect q dissolution Of
the pastoral relations.
Mr. Mckelvey remained as pastor Of the West
held church until the 2th OF june of tnis year.
and then he rendered his Resignation, which was
accepted by the Elz Abe;h Presbytery.
1t was then thought that the war b q ceased,
but the maj Driiy shortly aftrrward recalled Mr
Mchelvey, aud he has been occupying the pulpit
as heretofore.
On "Wednesday the case was called ag in be.
fore the Presbyterian Synud aad vOlumnous
documents we're presented by the minority and
the majority.
a special committee was appointed and IL re-
ported as folIowS, the report being adopted
Whereds. The General Assembly at its last session
directed tue SYNOD Of New Jersey to enJUin the
tefI 81 Ez lueth TO dissONe the pastoral relation Oi
ihc Rgv Alexander Mckelvey tp the congregation Ol
by The lresnytcr acting uy request u the pastor In the
matter and wi the acQuesctuce of the Cungregat1n
no iuftuer .cuOl IN tul, y lrIeular required Ol
thr part OF synod. But 10 view of the lou Of TIC
synod Ia ls5i anu 1875, ana IN view OF the action Of
Assembly and IN view Of tue fact that Mr. Mckeiyei
stl exercises Ministerial o1hces that church a
SUI plf, The SYNOD IL ~ ounlun that Mr, Mcktlye,
bhOud continue ministerial aUOrs In that cOngresad