Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-10
NOTHING TAKEN BACK
COyenanters Can't Agree as to Re-
ligious and Political Duties.
FIVE YOUNG MEN UNDER FIRE.
They Refuse to Recant or Show Contrition
for Their Course.
PRESBYTERS AND POLITICS DlvERGE

Cnurcn structure OF WllklnSOuTS yesterday
one might easily have persuaded himself
that he had gotten back into Scotland about
the close of the seventeenth century, when
the devil got belt between the lug and
horn every time he raised his malignant
head against the supporters of the solemn
league and covenant.
From the father in Israel, with his gray
Galway formal cut of whiskers, to the keen,
hair-splltting, metaphysical d. d., and
thence back to the mothers in Israel, whose
appearance was fully as pronounced as the
fathers, and then to the blooming daughters,
who, notwithstanding their budding lowell
ness, could not hide their relationship with
all the orthodox that ever Inhabited the
Land O. Cakes" They all showed also the
constitutional ability that carried their an
cestors through the ten-hour religious serv-
ices of 200 years ago.
The day had been set for the libeling be-
fore the Pittsburg Presbyterv OF Revs. o. B.
MilligaD, Of the East End; L. NJ. Milligan,
Parnassus; H. w. Temple, Brookland; w.
L. Samson, McKeesport, and il. W. Reed,
Youngstown, five young men whose united
ages would scarce make century and
half.
1t is locally, at least, we'll known that
these young men have for some months. past
belonged to body holding to what is
known as the East End platform on the
question of partici patton of Covenanters in
civil governmental affairs.
A COPY OF THE CHARGES.
The following is the libel or charges upon
which the days proceedings we're based:
WHEREAS, The following of divislve courses
from the doctrine and order which the church
has solemnly recognized and adopted is a helm
Gus sin and scandal contrary to the word of
God and to the profession nf the Reformed
Presbyterian Church founded thereon and to
the ordination VOWS of the ministry of said
church, Romans l6-17, terms of communion
number u, Book of Discipline, chapter 8,
formula of queries number and 8. Yet it is
true that you Rev. H. w. Reed are
guilty of the scandal above stated in so
far rs you, the said Rev. Hugh W. Reed. on
or about the 22d day of July 1890, in association
with other ministers of said church. known and
unknown to us, DID, as declared by you October
Is, 1880, at Williamsburg, Pa, before this Pitts
burg Presbytery attend q meeting held at the
East End Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Pittsburg, at which meeting was adopted
platform of principles, subsequently circulated,
and containing, with other statements which
are at lns cTbncb with the
ing article. namely: "rhat persons
who make creditable profession of Christ,
should be received into church membership on
their acceptance of our testimony and terms
of communion, without holding them to our
explanation in the matter of political dissent
or in other questions" which article is op-
posed to the church discipline, and is subversive
of the fundamental and covenanted position of
the Reformed Presbyterian Church in relation
to the matter of political dissent, and to which
platform of principles known rs the East End
n a IN nnh
did on different occasions. namely.
meeting of this Pittsburg Presbytery. held
at Williamsburg, Pa, October 10, and at n
meeting at the same place, November 4, 1890,
give your approval in disregard of your public
profession and VOWS at ordination following
division courses from the doctrine and order
solcmnly recognized and adopted, which being
found relevant and proven against you, you
ought to be proceeded against By the censures
OF the Lords house"
. CoNYENING OF THE CONFERENCE.
The Presbytery convened promptly at 10
o'clock A. NJ, the time SET as might be ex-
pected. and got down to business after the
ceremonies usual on such occasions; DIR. David
McAhster, of the Eighth Street Church.
Moderator; w. r. Laird, Clerk.
The animation might be said to have been
fully developed when Rev. II. w. Temple
offered paper as an overture. or common
platform on which both Presbytery and he
adherents to the East End platform might
stand. There were some strong expressions of
opinion that this olive branch ought to be
sufficient, but such expressions didn't, as q
rule, come from the silver-headed.
The report o. the Judicial Committee was
approved. 1t advised that Prof. ID. b. Wilson,
of the Allegheny Theological Seminary, and
Rev. A. Fitzpatrick, of Valencia, Pa, conduct
the prosecution.
The Moderator asked the accused to come
forward when Rev. II. w. Temple presented
the following paper signed by all tive and given
a. In fin SRttlnmant.
"First-We do not hold the East End plat
form as bond of union i'll the Il. P. Church,
but as an expression of individual opinion sent
forth for the purpose of correcting current mis-
representation.
"Second-As officers of the r. P. Church we
have kept and intend to keep the laws of this
church in regard to voting at civil elections and
holding civil Office.
"Third-We will not in any disorderly manner
maintain the views expressed in the aboye-men-
toned East End platform"
HOW TROUBLE COULD BE SAVED.
DR.. Il. ]. George made n statement intimating
that such paper offered sooner in the discussion
might have saved trouble. To this Mr.. Temple
replied that the statement was not true. Mr.
Temple did not exhibit any bad temper, and DR..
George did not reply. A motion to accept Mr..
Temples paper as a basis of settlement and
drop proceedings was lost, and it was decided
TO consider the paper first. After some talk
DR.. Sprowl insisted that the trial should go on
until everything was made plain, Rev. w. j.
Coleman thought two minutes too short time
to give each member for discus sion ana though
no action was taken the limit was not enforced.
After Rev. Temple had explained that the
subscribers to the East End platform were not
disloyal to the r. p. Church, Prof. Wilson
stated that the declaration should have been
made month ago. HI advised the defendants
To plead guilty and express contrItion, and the
Presbytery could make a minute of II. The
matter was discussed and put through all the
preliminary PAGES. Rev. Temple and +. NJ.
Milligan made an effort to be allowed to vote.
but were overrued. Rev Crozier put IN a good
Wilson was loaded for bear and insisted that
they must make retraction, and Rev. Arm
strong held that the paper was of too much I'M
portance to be dealt with hastily. Finally, Rev.
II. II. George moved to consider the report of
Judicial Committee which was as follows:
live disavow the East End platform as a
bond of union within the reformed Presby-
terrain Church as other than an explanation of
individual opinion, and we hereby announce
our withdrawal from the organization formed
at the East End meeting.
"2-We engage to abide by the existing laws
of this church as to voting at civil elections
and holding office. and to carry. them out In the
exercise of our office. ..-.
'3-We engage not to propagate contrary
views to the above while holding the position
of ministers of the Presbyterian Church."
THE WAY TO SETTLE THE MATTER.
Finally Rev. E. NJ. Milligan said. after all
sorts of argument had been used to get re-
traction, ~ suppose If the Court cannot accept
our paper, trial might as well commence al
once" and Prof. Wilson said that if that was
| the ultimation he might as well withdraw the
| paper, and Rev. II. H. George contended that
| the only way to settle the matter was to go tc
| the bottom of ii, .. =, .
| DR.. George held they should not be satisfied
| short of an avowal of an intention to break up
! that East End organization.
a dispute arose as 10 the language necessary
TO express the retraction of the accused. One