Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-11
.STOODBYTHEIR GUNS.
The Libeled Reformed Presbyterian
Clergymen Make Stout Defense.
INSIST THAT THEY ARE RIGHT.
Scriptural Laws Held to be More Binding
Than Synod Rules.
TWO MORE PREACHERS MAY BE TRIED

the Presbytery court meeting yesterday
morning.
There was not so large an attendance as
on the night previous, and all were enabled
to find seats, but both sides showed as much
enthusiasm as ever and nerve to see the end
of the matter, and all the seats were filled in
afternoon. AS Rev. Mr.. Fitzpatrick and
Prof. Wilson had marshaled all the teach
ings of the r. P. Church from 1860 to 1890,
the defense had a very troad field to cover.
At night the house was again densely
packed.
Rev. o. B. Milligan, of the East End
R. p. Church, among the accused, led off
for the defense. He challenged anyone to
show anything wrong in the East End plat
form. Its supporters did not think of
seeding, and asked if the Westminster
Confession of faith had been amended
so that base for the accusations
could be formed. He wanted to know
if the Covenanter body had decided
that it didn't want any reformation
in national politics. He might be driven
from the church, but could not be from his
performance of personal Christian duty, and
expressed concern lest some of his brethren
should suffer brain softeDing.
LOOKED UPON IT AS A FARCE.
He denied abusing the fathers Of the
church; said the charges were general, and
the plan of procedure a burlesque; both
churches and pastors violate synodical
laws; the Presbytery would allow him to
think, but not to talk. unless by permission
of synod; such law is absurd: there were
more violators than those on trial, and the
Presbytery should libel itself, as some of its
members were actionable, and there are
many Covenanters who do not think it
wrong to take Christian ministers into their
pulpits. In conclusion, he took a Bible
into his hand and said: This is the con-
fesson of faith on which 1 stand"
Rev. H. W. Temple, of Leechburg came
next. His defense covered four points: The
right of private judgment;the right to express
it; the right to associate with those who
agree in organization, and the right of such
organization to labor in an orderly manner
for change in church statutes. He was
incisive and quoted Archibald Alexander
and DR.. Hodge, to show that synodical
work was rather Legislative than judicial.
He cited in support the attempt to specify
two causes for divorce instead of one as at
present. He argued that reformation of
church laws was frequent and finally locked
horns with Prof. Wilson on some historical
question and there was an interesting clash
of weapons for some time.
EXPRESSION OF OPINION IN PANTOMIME.
Rev. Mr.. Temple cited as hackers ST.
Paul, Calvin and the r. P. Church. AS to
expressions of opinion, it might be in pam
tomime which the Pittsburg Presbytery
could not suppress, and held that "follow-
| ing divine courses" might as we'll be im-
| puted TO all those in the r. P. Church who
want to reform civil government.
AT the conclusion OF Rev. Mr.. Temples
defense, Rev. w. L. Samson, of McKees-
port, was called to the stand. He began by
stating that if there were more love for hu-
manity, truth and Gods glory than for our
| selves, it would be better Tor all, and he
| would not be called to answer. Socrates
| was charged with heresy and was forced to
| drink the hemlocS Graught. He was
| heather. Christ was similarly charged be-
cause he wanted TO get the people
away from the traditions of the elders back
| to the law of Moses and he died on the
| cross. Huss, Luther, Knox and Calvin
were charged with following divislve
| courses, and who has not that was ever in
earnest? Among the multitude of refer
ences and citations Paul's Epistle to the
Romans was quoted, sixteenth and seven
| teenth verses. The Judaizers wanted these
| Roman Christians to get back, holding cir
cumcision to be necessary. If left alone,
| Mr.. Samson said, he and his fellow defend
ants might be doing some good now, but
| they were hindered by these Judaizers. As
| to political dissent, he held that practice
cannot make law, # prior to that practice
| is law forbidding it, and the law OF 1906
| lies unrepealed back of 81 years practice.
He held that the argumentative testimony
| was not necessarily an article of faith.
AN OPINION ON POLITICS.
On the matter of political dissent he held
i there was room for difference of opinion and
denied that the II wanted to play autocrat
over the 100. Had they. the defense, not
been misrepresented in Synod there would
| not have been any East End platform, and
| they would not have been on trial. They
were charged with divisive practices, but
the speaker could stand before the bar of
God and say he was guiltless. On the
| principle on which this trial is based the
United States Government might suppress
| the Christian Statesman aud all other publi-
| cations advocating reform in the Govern
| ment and all who were demanding it. Free
speech q free press and the right of as
sembling, he held, were just as necessary to
| the perpetuation of the r. p. Church as to
that of the Republic, The accused had
kept all the laws OF the church, and have
agreed to continue keeping them, as officers
of the church.
Rev. w. H. Reed, Of Youngstown, when
called on, reminded the Presbytery that in
17O1 John McMillen had presented a paper
of grievances to the Scotch kirk to recognize
the binding force of the solemn league and
covenant, and out of its denial arose the
strength OF the Covenanter church. Such
martyrs purchased the priceless heritage
now enjoyed by the Reform Presbyterian
Church. On the question of open conf
munion and others on which the right is
claimed of private opinion he quoted
Christ: "He that receiveth you receiyeth
Me-" etc. Rev. Reed contended that practi-
cal political dissent was not fundamental
principle of the church. quoting from near
iy every page or the history of the wars Of
the Scotch kirk against the house of Stuart,
when the festive Charlie got the bulge on il
by seeming compliance.
Rev. Reeds speech was cut in two by DIR.
Sproul moving recess for refreshments.
THE CONDITIONS HAD CHANGED.
Rev. Mr.. Reed contended that the faith.
iul contendings of the Scotch martyrs
against immoral constitutions of civil gov
ernment were not parallel with the condi
tions now required as in Scotland at that
date there was no voting franchise and
Covenanters had no Offices to hold. Not
until the reform act of 1882 did the Scotch
Synod have occasion to make an uterance
OH the subject of practical political dissent
and in 1888 it passed its first law against it.
members voting. The burden of the argu
ment was that the church must modify it.
doctrines, except those fundamental, IRON
time to time to suit exigencies. Slavery
for instance, has been abolished and henct