The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-19
DIR. TALMAGE'S BRETHREN.
BROOKLYN PRESBrTERY ARR1IGNED
FOR 1COUITTING HIM

Moderator IT. John Given Formal Notice of an
Appeal to the synod of Long IsIand-A Pa
per setting Forth the Grounds ofthe Appeal
The following paper was served on Satur-
day upon the Rev. Oliver st. John. Moderator OF
the Brooklyn Prcsbytery. in accordance with
the notice given by the Rev. DR.. Van Dyke and
other brethren who voted against the acquittal
OF the Rev. DR.. Talmage on charges OF false
hood and deceit:
The undersigned give notice Of their lnten.
tion to complain to tho Synod Of Long Island
against the action OF the prosbytery OF Brook
lvn in the case Of the Rev. Il. DE Witt Talmage.
u. d.. on trial before the Preshytery on the
charge Of fasehood and deceit. for the follow
l. Because during tho process Of the trial the
Presbytery allowed the presence OF nm audience
who manifested their sympathy Tor the accused
by applause. laughter. and Kisses. accompanied
in several instances with personal indignitles
toward members OF the court whereby. rs We
believe. the Judgment Of tho court was unduly
biased and It's dignity and authority brought
into contempt.
2 Because n mutual agreement made be-
tween the accused and n witness twhose sworn
testimony had been openly denounced before
the Presbytcry by the accused ms PACK OF
falsehoods "l-a so-callcd covenant to the effect
that neither would defend his character at the
expense oi the other,a covenant resting upon
no basis Of Acknowledgment either OF error or
otwrongb by either party-wns Introduced be-
fore the Preshytery with such dramatic effect
that many OF the mcmbers were led to account
1t u sufficient ground for condoning the false
hood alleged against the accused in the fourth
specification; all OF which proceeding was in
the judgment OF tho undersigned out Of place.
improper. and hurtful to the interests OF justice
in the case.
8. Because testimony for tho defence wiz.
the affidavit of Gen. Howard was introduced in
open violation OF the requirement OF the Book
OF Discipline. chap. g. sec. -. and Mt such n
stage IN the trial as necessarily TO preclude the
prosecution from all opportunity to cross-e%-
anime the witness. And this violation OF rule
is the more aggravated because the affidavit in
question had been in possession OF the counsel
for the defence for some time before II was pre-
scented and bore the date OF March 81 while the
date ot lis presentation was April 81
4. Because on the other hnnd the Moderator
ruled out important evidence offered by the
prosecution. which should in the Interests OF
| truth and Justice. have been admitted.
8. Because the accused when under cross
| examination WAS allowed to make long and ir-
| relevant answers to direct and plain questions
| concerning matters Of importance to tho issue.
| thus obstructing the course of justice and con-
| fuslng tho minds Of the judges.
G. because the vote Of the majority Of tho
! Preshyterv acquitting Dr. Talmagc OF talsehood
| and deceit Is IN open conflict with tho recorded
| testimony in the case. and the grounds upon
| which many OF the majority based their de-
! cislon We're irrelevant inconsistent. ana lifted
! 70 bring religion and morality into contempt.
! We believe the charge to be clearly proven by
| the facts which are admitted on both sides, and
! that IN view OF these facts the judgment OF the
| lr"shytery IS Injurious 70 tho Interests OF re-
| hgiOn, and calculated 10 degrade the character
| Of those who have PRONOUNCED II" We there
| fore appeal for redress to the judgment OF the
| whole Presbyterian Church. rs represented in
! her superior courts.
! 7. Because the accused and his counsel have
! justified his whole conduct. as set forth in the
! testimony uuon principles which are directly
| opposed 10 those OF truth and Righteousness
! and because the Hcqu;ial Of the accused. upon
! or in conn ection with such principles. Is iuIu-
! rlous not only 10 religion. but TO public morals.
| J SHERWOOD. J q. nvILER.
! J NJ GEEEN. II %. EATON.
! ARCH. Meet LLAGu, ADAM McCLELLAND,
! ARTHUR CROSBY, j W HUCkLEY.
| g n TAYLOR. W \ BRluGlS.
! CiiAS J. JOINS, H. j. VAN DYKE,
| %. AOi Nc " " hazard.
! 4 b THOMAS. y. MORSE
| GEO. Il. CHAMBERLA1N. ]. A. NILSSON.
! Tho Synod Of Long Island meets in October
| in Jamaica. II may either approve or reverse
| the decision. or order the Prrsbyterv to review
| its own action. that IL may reach different con-
clusiOn. The members OF the Brooklyn Pres
! hytery have no vote IN the determination Of the
! question by the Synod.