Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-11
FIVE EXPELLED.
ONLY ONE OF TEE SIX REFORMED PRESBY-
TBRIAN MINISTERS ESCAPE
From the Clutches Of the Pi.tsburg Synod, and BE
is Student Accused Charged With Heresy,
Scandal and Libsl-United Presbyter-
ians Congratulate Them on
Their Escape.

PITTsBURG, PA, June 10.-The sem
sational trials Of the six young minis
ters of the Reformed Presbyterian
church ended to-day, and the Synod by
vote of 95 to 81 expelled five of them
from the church. The charges
against them were scandal, libel. and
following devisive courses in declaring
in favor Of the right of franchise at a
meeting in the East End of this city.
Their names are Rev. E. NJ. Miligan,
j. R. j. Milligan, w. H. Reed, w. L,
c. Samson and j. C. K. Milligan. Rev.
A, w. McCurkins appeal was sustained
and R. b. Burnett, student, also
charged with heresy has not yet been
tried.
Immediately after the announcement
of the vote, all the suspended ministers
left the church. They were met on
on the outside by several ministers Of
the United Presbyterian church, who
extended to them, in an informal way,
the right hand of fellowship.
The scene during the voting was very
exciting. The verdict was not unex-
pected, and several ministers notified
the synod of their intention to follow
the young men,
When Rev. j. +. Carson'S name was
called, he said: SIN view o. the result
Of this vote just taken, and in view OF
the fact that as soon as the result OF
your libel is settled am going to leave
the Covenanter church, refuse to vote
/ will never vote again in thist synod"
Rev. Thomas Logan, OF Rochester,
gave warning that he would vote no
against everything that may come up.
Elder McAfee spoke for the Fourth
church, of New York. He did not say
exactly what his congregation would do,
but it is well inferred that it will go out
of the Covenanter church.
Rev. j. l.. McElhinney said: II
would rather stand with the Lord than
the Reformed Presbyterian church. |
vote no."
Rev. j. s. Thompson said: 81 vote
no. First, 1t Is illogical, as there was
no written testimony furnished this
court on which to refer judgment.
Second, it was unjust and wrong, be-
cause no sentence was too severe against
these young men. Third, the vote OF
this Synod does not represent the senti-
ment of the people and you will hear
from the people later"
Rev. Il. M. Smith of Baltimore, de-
clned to vote because on next Sunday
he will tender his resignation to his
congregation and leave the Covenanter
Church. His reason is that he can not
believe longer in the principles OF the
CovenaDter Church.
Rev. E. M. Milligan was the fist TO
catch the eye of the Moderator after
the announcement Of the vote. He said:
sin view of the fact that this Synod
has found me guilty of scandal, libel
and following deyisive courses, | there
fore appeal to the bar of an enlightened
Christian conscience and place myself
on trial in the Monongahela Presbytery
of the United Presbyterian Church.
He was followed by Revs. j. r. j.
Milligan. w. III. Reed, w. l.. c. Samson
and j. C. X. Milligan.
After adjournment Rev. DR.. Thomp-
son, OF New York, said that there will
be no split and new congregation
formed. 3s that would cause a fight for
church property, and further, there are
now enough congregations But"
said the doctor, "there will be a slip
ping away into other congregations un-
til the Church will lose large part OF
the younger element and those VINO ex-
pect to support the Church in coming
years" The 81 who voted against the
of the young men this after
noon presented paper Of dissent from
the action Of the Synod, and asked that
it be spread upon the minutes.