Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-15

charged with secrecy, but the elders con-
veption was held in the speakers church,
and he was not apprised OF it. In. conclu-
sion Rev. Mr.. Milligan SAID he would ask
mercy of God, but only justice of the Pres
bytery.
The vote was next taken, and r. A. Arm
strong voted "not sustain," as he thought if
any more restrictions were placed on men,
bership, applicants would die before they
could comply.
Should Abide by the Bargain.
Rev. S. Y. Grove thought if the church
had been overreached in its bargain with
Mr.. Mill1gan, it should accept the result,
and he voted mot sustain" Rev. j. NJ. Crozier
voted to sustain, as he regarded Rev. ]. X. ].
Milligan dangerous man in the fold.
The vote was % to sustain. 4 against sustain
ing, MT voting and absent.
The announcement of the vote was followed
by notice by Rev. MIR. Milligan of an appeal
to the Synod.
Rev. Mr.. Laird moved the case be transferred
to the Synod without affixing penalty, but this
was tabled until the cases of the already sus-
pended five were reached. 1t became evident
that the Presbyrery had rather not sentence to
punishment and hoped to get an acknowledge
ment
Rev. Mr. McClurkin was now called to plead.
and he gave notice that he denied the authority
of the court to try him in this high handed and
unchristian manner, and that Il appeal the case
to the Synod" Thus he not only gets change
of venue. but gets into the Supreme Court at
the same time. The applause which greeted
him showed the strength represented by the
adherents of the convicted pastors.
The vote to sustain the libel was 20 for to
against. Rev. II. H. George j. L Mccartney,
W. lfa,, ri III St1.lxr aah
as they did not hear all the case. and William
Blair was also excused, as he said he didn't
want to vote.
Dr. McAlister announced that the libel was
sustained, when Prof. Wilson took the floor
and said that Rev. j. r. ]. Miligan did not
appear to stand with the remainder OF the
seven. and he must be held to have been will
ing to accept the basis of settlement offered.
His position possessed a certain significance
that demanded attention. as he had done more
to cut loose from the East End organization
than the five brethren suspended.
Still Loyal to the Church.
Rev. Mr.. Miligan, however, insisted that
while he did not intend to belong to the organ
Ization, it expressed his views nevertheless.
He would hold to the church Loyalty as long as
he could do so.
Prot Wilson replied that they would never
agree that the East End platform was not an
offense The brother deserved admonItion.
Prof Wilson thought il MIR. Milligan were to
withdraw his appeal and accept censure the
matter ought to rest there. and Rev. John
Gabreath agreed with Prof. Wilson.
Dr. r. ]. George said their action must be
founded in righteousness and impartiality. He
held that Rev. j. h. J. Milligan had shown a
more accommodating spirit than the rest, hut
he also had declined the basis of settlement.
Dr. George made a diversion also in favor of
Rev. E. NJ. Milligan, and further said that Mr..
Temple was the only one who appeared to re-
gard the East End organization as permanent
thing.
Prof. Wilson said the minutes showed the Or
ganization was intended to be permanent.
There was some sharp cross-hring, In which
Rev. ]. X. ]. Millgan. Prof. Wilson and DR..
George we're the sharpshooters, and the Mod
orator called for the minutes OF the East End
organization to settle the matter, but they were
not forthcoming. and Prof. Wilson finally Of
fered the following resolution:
"That since Rev. j. r. ]. Milligan has de-
clared his continued adherence to the bass OF
settlement of the Judicial Committee without
| explanations. his case be concluded on condi-
ton that he withdraw his appeal to the Synod
and submit to admonition for following
divIsve courses in uniting with the East End
meeting IN drawing up the East End platform.
Couldn't See the Distinction.
Rev. H. H. George now rose. and said it
would take Philadelphia lawyer to explain
| the difference between the offenses charged
against Rev. j. r. j. MiIligan and the rest of
| the accused, and he objected to making fish of
| one and flesh of the rest.
Prof. Wilson said Mr.. MiIigan had agreed to
| rest refused.
Prof. Coleman, of Geneva College, held that
| if Mr.. Milligan didn't make a complete sur
! render he must be considered as having crossed
| the Rubicon.
| Prof Wilson admitted that his proposition
| was in the nature of a compI omise, but Presby-
| terry had offered to settle on that basis.
| Rev. H. H. George contended that Rev. Mr..
Mlligan was as deep in the mud as the rest
| were in the mire-or words to that effect.
| After a long discussion Prof. Wilson said he
| would withdraw his paper, but the Moderator
| ruled that it could not be done.
| Rev. S. ]. Grove criticised the Jurisprudence
| of the Presbytery, contending that an appeal
| should effect stay Of proceedings and suspen-
sion of sentence.
The proposition was lost, but two voting in
| favor.
Rev. H. H. George next proposed form of
| settlement to be offered to all.
| Prof Wilson held that the proposition was
impossible unless they expressed contrition. 1t
| would be a recession.
| Rev John Galbreath moved for the sentence
| of suspension on both Messrs. Milligan and
! McClurkin.
| Rev. s. G. Counor revived Rev. H. H.
| Georges proposition.
| Rev. MI. Laird remarked that the brethren
appeared to be afraid they might be too lenient,
| and Revs. Grove and Mccartney agreed with
| him.
| All in the Same Boat
| Rev. H. H George still insisted that all were
| in the same boat, and the case had better 60 to
| SYNOD in its entirety if Presbytery could not
| patch up a peace with all. why. when
| talked to my friend, Brown Milligan-"
Rev. o. B. Milligan-I object when have no
| chance to talk back.
| The interruption caused Rev. MIR. George to
| give over for the time being.
| Elder John A. Dodge insisted on repentance
| for the remission of sins. and offered as SUBJ
| stitute the addition that the accused also agree
| to preach political dissent.
Rev. Mr.. Croner was of the same opinion, and
| so was Rev. Mr.. Galbreath, on the principle that
| IL tby right eye offend it must be plucked out
| while r. A. Armstrong wanted to extend the
olive branch. ]. r. Bell, an elder in Rev.
Mr. Samson's church, would lop the offenders
| off without ceremony, and all shades of opinion
| crossed the horizon like clouds in all angry skv.
SO rapidly that it was difficult to keep track of
| the disputants.
| Finally DR.. R. J. George moved to suspend
| suspension until petitions be heard from the
| congregations of some of the deposed ministers,
| and the motion prevailed. Rev. E. NJ. MILL
| gau's congregation at Parnassus sent q pc.
tition signed by 50 members, asking that
he be allowed to preach during his
| suspension in order to prevent the
disintegration OF the church. The Brooklyn
| and Manchester congregation asked that Rev.
H. w. Temple be also allowed to minister to
| it; IS siguers the petition. A similar peii.
| tion 7S strong, came from the East End con.
| gregaton. Mr.. Armstrong was allowed to
speak in favor of the Brooklyn and Manchester
congregation and T. C.. Armstrong and ]. II.
Doutnett for the East End. The latter pro
ceeded to go rather rough-shod for the eccle
siastical authorities, and collided with Moder
ator McAlister quite frequently. Elder John