The New York herald., 1879-12-16
BEFORE The SYNOD
The Brooklyn Presbytery Defends Its
Acqailtal of De Witt Talmage.
UNSUCCESSFUL MOTION TO QUASH
Debating knotty Points OF
Church Discipline.
AN oMIN US CAL M.

A N O MIN 0 u S G A L M.
The contest over the common fame" of the Rsv.
I. De Witt Talmage was renewed last night before
the Synod of Long Island in the old Presbyterian
Church at jamaica L. l. The Synod convened at seven
O'Clock in the evening. The struggle between DIR.
Taimage and the Brooklyn Presbytery, or rather
portion of it which was nimcal to him. has
become so famous that every reader of the HERALD
is familiar with its every aspect. The fact of his
acqital of the charges of falsehood and deceit At
the hands of the Presbytery not in any sense.
1t appears. cessation of hostilities 1t only
truce until the appellants could bring their before
this higher court. The choice of meeting place for
the struggle peculiar. Jamaica rasher pretty
suburban town. and the Presbyterian church there
ancient and honored building. well . COM
Portable one; but the knowledge that by far the
greatest number of interested parties lived in
Brooklyn would seem to have suggested to
the managers the proprety of meeting in that city,
Perhaps. however. it may have been in the minds
of those who chose the Jamaica Presbyterian
Church a meeting place to impress upon the
contestants that they raising hubbnb in
an org nization which for many generations had
the like among its members, for
the congregation is old and strict one. Yes
terday the venerable structure decorated as II
for bridal A pillar Of evergreens either side
of the memorial pulpit upheld q basket of rare
plants. from which, in graceful folds. hung mass
OF trailing srbutus. On the wall q marble
memorial stone. which cut the names
the pastors Of the church from the days of Zecha
rah Walker. in 1868. to the time of Eiihu Spencer.
in 176O. and this reminder of these rigid. but peace
full old men. looked down upon their successors sit
ting with faces set and stern in the pursuance Of
their bitter quarrel.
BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
At seven O'Clock the edifce brilliantly lighted
and the doors opened to admit an eager throng OF
the residents of Jamaica of both sexes. who in
short time filed the galleries. At quarter past
Of followers. He was in shilling mood and shook
several greeting friends warmly by the hands. Half
IN nor later the moderator Rev. Jaines @. Might
ngae called the synod to order aud offered prayer
He supplicated God to look tavorably on the
court about Sa hsa reans Hs s th ana
utes the Moderator called tor the report OF
the COMMITTEES appointed to have the evidence taken
before the Fresbytery of Brooklyn at the time OF
the trial The report made. showing that the evi-
dsnce filed book of about eight hundred pages
The report received and the committee dis
charged.
The synod then proceeded to business. but before
1t had got very far Judge Armstrong. Of Jamaica,
threw = hand grenade iii the shape OF a very long
preamble and resolutions ordering the virtual
.h. as the had Sosh
In verdict OF not guilty 1t was
unnecessary and unwise to carry the matter to any
greater length The preamble long and evi.
IDENTIFY carefully prepared. and made very decided
Impression. No sooner had Judge Armstrong seated
himself than the Rev. Mr.. Oakley said
''I second the resolutions"
Then came assertions from Rev. Nessrs. Knox and
Shyl,nd that the resolutions were out of order.
which the Moderator sustained. There was quite
futter on this, and the foor was claimed by several
Rev. Mr. LAMrMAx (exctedly)-I deny tho posi-
! ten of tina .ModsrStor. There has been steps
Yet taken in this trial by this synod and we havea
the decision Of the Moderator.
Rev. MIR. SHYLASD-I also beg leave to differ with
him.
The MoDERAron-I will read the rule in the Book
OF Discipline.
Rev. Mr. SHyLAsp-The reading of the minutes
was q virtual opening OF the case. Tho step has
bcen certainly takcn.
Cries Of Question: Question:"
Judge ARMsrRoSG-Has the trial commenced? Ehf
Naughter.)
The MopEnAroR-In the opinion Of the Moderator
the trial has not com menced
Rev. Mr.. CRosBY-The resolution to dismiss the
complaint is certainly out of order.
Judge Armstrong rose to3ontinue. when he was
interrupted by reverend brother who sat near
him.
tleman" (pointing to Judge Armstrong; "has no
business to 60 on in this way
Judge Armstrong turned his back on the brother
ana went after which the Moderator put the ap-
peal, and declared 1t lost.
Rev. Mr.. LAMpMAN-I call for adivision Jumping
to his feet). rising vote. appeal.
MODERATOR SUSTAINED.
The Moderator called for Q division of the house.
tho Brooklyn PresDytery not voting. and announced
that the decision Of the Chair declaring the resou-
tions out OF order was sustained by . vote or Is
to IL.
Business then resumed. and long debate ON
the rules OF procedure followed.
The question the third and sixth sections Of the
charges. which the only ones allowed by the
Judiciary Committee. then taken up. con-
siderable de- ate followed. particularly the sixth
section. which reads US fonows;-
Because the of the majority Of tho Presbytery
aeqating Dr. Tamare Of falsehood and deceit open
conflict with the recorded Testimony In the csse,
mi MAJ
70 be ssy (, e
isSss .s'' 'As a'E% as
T. We ,hsretcrs appeal for redress to the
In her superior courts.
WARM DEBATE
Tho words, "the grounds upon which many OF
the majority based their decisions irrelevant
&C., caused q prolonged .dobatc. Rev. Mr.. Lock-
wood said that in his opinion the absence Of specific
After some further debate Rev. Mr.. Crosby rose
aud said:-"You will know what We complain Of
AS get q chance to explain. Leaving
reasons out = matter of convenience, aud We
will give them just rs soon as we get an oppor-
Dr. Van Dyke--we have no desire to control tho
form manner in which this synod gets At tho
facts. We only desire to get the substance before
the Synod. Wo prepared to substantiate charges
on leg points, according to the discipline and usage
OF the Prcsbyt Church. We regret exceedingly
that you have gone back on your own Judiciary
Committee. How you discover that cannot
substantate these charges until you hear usf What
right have you to say that cannot substantiate
these things? The book says you must hear the
complaint Have you heard IL? You have had pre-
sented set OF resolutions"
JUDGE AnMyrRoNG's INTERRUPTIONS.
Judge Armstrong-h understand Alright my reso-
lutons were declared out OF order aud are therefore
not before us. Ii you want to discuss them
DIR. Van Dyke--No. III not raise new question.
(Laughter.)
Then motion made by Brother Carter to with
draw the sixth section from the complaint was
tabled by consent OF the Synod.
some one here made motion to hear the original
parties and to limit the time. considerable space
was wasted In debating this. and the matter was
finally referred to q committee.
Dr. Talmaee then gave notice that he could not
be present to-day owing to Imperative enRagcments
The synod then adjourned until half past eight the
morning.
HARLEM HEBREW ASSOCIATION.