Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-01
NOT FOND OF MUSIC.
The Use of an Organ in a U. P. Church
Causes an Unpleasantness
In MONONGAHELA PRESBYTERY,
The Moderator Resigns Rather Than Listen
to Music in Church.
HE'S NOT EVEN REQUESTED TO RELENT

The Monongahela Presbytery of thu
United Presbyterian Church was in regular
quarterly session in the Sixth U. P. Church
Collins avenue, East End, all day yester
day. There were about 100 delegates pres
ent. There were several interesting feature;
of the meeting, the most notable being an
attempt to revive the old question as to the
use of instrumental music and the inconti-
nent resignation of the Moderator. rs a re,
suit.
At the morning session, commencing al
o'clock, the Moderator, Rev. d. S. Littell,
having called the Presbytery to order. the
first business was a petition from the con-
gregation of Homestead, asking that a spe-
cial mission be created there, with an ap-
preparation of 5000 for the ensuing year. 1t
was granted. Then several small appro-
priations of from $500 to 5000 were granted
to the congregations of various places
Oakdale, Mif1in, CHARTERS, etc.
Messrs. William Hice, Boyd and r. M.
Russell were elected to serve as the Com
mittee on Finance.
A call was heard from Mt. Washington
for the services of Rev. r. H. Hood. 1t
was sustained and ordered to be forwarded
to the Presbytery of CHARTERS.
After lunch, served in the basement of
the church by the ladies of the congrega-
tion, the afternoon session was opened with
the approval of the minutes. Williamsburg
was chosen as the place for the next
quarterly meeting, to be held on the last
Tuesday in June.
Then the Moderator left the chair and
offered the following resolution
Resolved. That IN Difference to the consc-
entious scruples of several members Of the
PresDytery with regard to the use of iDstru-
mental music during the praise service of the
Presbytery, the playing of the organ be dis
peDsed with during the evening service OF Pres
bytery.
Opposed to Doing without the Organ.
The resolution furnished great deal Of
discussion, most of the members of the Pres
bytery showing themselves decidedly op-
posed to it. Nearly every one had something
to say and there was considerable feeling dis
PLAYED over the matter.
Rev. j. i. McCrory said, with tinge of sar-
casm in his tone. that he thought the opinions
of the congregation were entitled to some
Difference. If they liked the organ, they were
surely entitled to hear it. They had paid for
it and they used it every Sunday. Why not
to-day.
Another gentleman said that the service In
the evening would be that of the Monongahela
PreSbytery, and not OF the Sixth United Pres-
byterian Church.
Rev. Mr.. Knox, of Wylie avenue, thought
that no congregation or Presbytery should in
vite member to be present at meeting and
insult him by doing that which would injure
his convictions or scruples.
Rev. j. D. Sands said that Mr.. Littell, As
Moderator, had the right to order such proceed
of resolution, but that Presbytery had tie
right to overrule such an order. For his part,
he would like to hear the'organ He under
stood that it was very fine one, and he
thought it would be 4 pleasure to listen to it.
Tho question was then put and tho resolu-
tion was defeated by vote of l9 tot
Mr.. Littel called for division, and as that
corroborated the defeat of the resolution he
rendered his resignation as Moderator. The
resignation was accepted. only one voice being
heard for it and mono against il. Mr.. Littell
left the room, but returned toward the end of
the session.
No Lack of New Moderator
Rev. MIR. Elliott, OF the Southsid,, was
elected Moderator for the ensuing year. He
not to be in the room just then and
Mr.. McCrory was chosen Moderator pro tenn.
Rev. J. w. Harsha then offered minute on
the deceased which was adopted.
A letter was read from Messrs. Holman and
McGiffin. setting forth that Rev. NJ. I. Smalley
had been unable to pay them debt of $3.50,
and asking that Presbytery prevent his fulfill
ing the duties of minister of the U. P. Church
until he had discharged bis obligation.
The feeling of the members of Presbytery
was that Mr.. Smalley was unfortunate rather
than guilty, and a committee of inquiry was
appointed to look into the matter. The CON-
mittee was as follows: Rev. j. 7. McCrory and
A. r. Van Fossen and Elder Peter Dick. After
a little more unimportant business Presbytery
adjourned.
In the evening Rev. NJ. M. Patterson, of Will
delivered an address of welcome,
and Rev. r. NJ. Parton was installed pastor of
~ oh Ia do a fQN "a.
marks upon taking the pulpit. Addresses were
made also by Revs. w. s Nevens and A. R
Van Fossen.
The ladies OF the church furnished lunch at
noon and dinner at 8 o'clock for the members
of the Presbytery, and were heartily thanked
for their bountiful hospitality.