The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-30
SENSATION IN THE SYNOD.
Rev. DIR. McAllister Brings Charges Against
"A Brother and il Severely Scored.

Brother and il Severely Scored.
P1TrsBuRG. Pa. May 29.-The scenes at this
mornings session Of the Reformed Presbyte-
rian Church Synod were perhaps without
parallel in church history. The very ami
mated proceedings were introduced by Rev.
David McAllister. moderator of the Pitts
burg Presbytery, who after relterating
charges against Rev. j. c. Nj. McMilligan
and J. G. Carson. editor Of The News Letter,
official organ of the Synod, preferred charges
Of libel against Rev. n. Nj. Johnston and
Rev. Il. s. T. Milligan. This caused a tire
mendous sensation and was roundly de-
nounced as un-Presbyteran and particularly
deplOrable.
Rev. McAllister withstood the trying on
slaught against him calmly. and when order
had been restored. he began reading from q
private letter written by one of the suspended
ministers TO friend, just after the meeting
of the Pttsburg Presbytery The letter was
cOuched in unministerial language, sacrell-
giously referring TO the tribunal which found
the writer guilty of following divisive courses.
A score or more of indignant ministers vigO-
rOusly denounced Dr. McAllister for at
tempting 10 read the letter when 1t was eyl-
dent that his purpose was solely to create a
feelingiagainst the accused.
Rev. DR.. Carson offered a resolution that
the,Synod express its disapproval OF the course
seconded from all parts of the house. Finally
the moderator referred the question and the
point was decided TO be not well taken. When
this was announced Dr. McAlisteT, very pale
and trembling in every limb. slashed
the air with his arms and cried out: Il will
not stand by and see ministers Of this
Church disregard every law and rule of the
Church. will at all times, and do enter my
protest against these elder men leading our
young ministers from the proper and only
course TO be followed by ministers. If am
to 90 down fighting in this cause, | will 60
down with my colors flying II the Church is
TO be wrecked by the actions Of a few, | want
TO be found standing firmly on the rock upon
which the covenant of the Church was estab-
lished.
When order had been restored several min
isters followed each other in most scathing
remarks on DR.. McAllisters unprecedented
procedure.
The moderator attempted to pass the mat
ter quietly by by announcing devotional ex-
ercses
A cry from all parts of the house, mo mol
we want to vote on DIR. CarsOn's resolution.
Question: question. Don't shut us OF IN this
matter"
The moderator then put the motion made
by the Rev. DR.. Carson. which was that the
Synod express its disapprobation Of Rev. DR..
McAllster's action IN introducing the trouble
creating letter. The resolution also prOyldeu
that DR.. McAllister be severely censured for
his conduct. When vote was taken the
ayes made the church fairly tremble, while
those opposed to the resolution were very
few
After being thus so forcibly sat down
upon" DR.. McAllister retired in confusion
and with colorless face.
When the discussion closed every one pres
ent was greatly excited and when the mod
orator announced the devotional exercises the
crowd in the back part of the church was on
its feet. and so great was the disturbance that
proceedings were suspended until the crowd
could be dispersed and order restored.
The interest in the afternoon session was
intense as it was expected that the trial of the
young ministers who subscribed to the
East end platform" would be taken up.
The point, however. for taking up these trials
was lust reached when motion was made and
carried that they be considered the first order
of business for Monday morning.
The discipline committee made partial
report.
The matter of the memorials that had been
sent in was laid on the table. The greater
number of the memorials disapproyed the
action of the Pittsburg Presbytery.
The Synod then adjourned.