Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
PASTOR BELL DISMISSED.

The Delaware City Minister Given a
Letter by the New Castle Presbytery to
That of Down, Ireland--He Departs
With Blessing and VIII Sail on Sat
urday.
A pro-re-nata meeting of New Castle
Presbytery was held in Central Church
on Tuesday afternoon. The members
present were the Rev. Messrs. Keigwin,
Taylor, Thompson, Marks, Bell, Blake,
Beatson, Franklin, Moore and Swartz,
and Elders John @. Higgins, i. r Clark,
L. p. Bush, Charles Baird, William NJ
Pyle, w. X. Crosby. Delaware City
Church was represented by Messrs.
Higgins and Clark. In the absence Of
the moderator and stated clerk of the
presbytery, the Rev. w. l.. McEwan,
who had not yet returned from Ken
lucky, the Rev. A. N. Keigwin was
chosen moderator and the Rev. F. Ill.
Moore stated clerk pro TEN.
The session opened with prayer by
the acting moderator, after which the
| call for the meeting, mentioning the fol-
lowing items Of business for considera-
ton, was read: First, to hear and con
slider the request of the Rev. r. A.
McEwan Bell TO be released from the
| Ddalpldl NildiE t VI lllt NJ lltlu-
ware City; second, TO appoint a modera-
tor Of the session of that church; third
to grant the session leave to supply the
pulpit.
Mr.. Bell was given opportunity to
make statement. He said he had sent
a written request to the stated clerk but
he was absent In the absence of his
written request he made a verbal re.
quest. His reason, he said, was that he
wishes TO return to Ireland and engage
in Presbyterian church work there. II
the presbytery would grant his request
he remarked, he would be delighted anc
If II would give him letter he hoped i
would be given at once, because he in
tends to sail by the steamer Circassi,
next Saturday. He will have to be con
nected with the Irish church giyel
time, he added, before he can be ac
cepted by the General Assembly.
After the presbytery had been assured
that the Delaware City church had beef
notified of Mr.. Bells intended resigna
ton and that the transaction of the bus
mess mentioned in the call would b
constitutional the Rev. DR.. Lafayett
Marks moved that the pastoral relation
existing between Mr.. Bell and sait
church be dissolved, which motion wa
unanimously adopted.
The Rev. w. W. Heberton, a membe
OF the presbytery and at present identi
fed with relief board in Philadelphia
was appointed moderator, and Dl
Marks alternate, to declare the pulp
vacant at the earliest opportunity anl
the session of the church was givel
leave to supply the pulpit,
After brief pause Mr.. Keigwin an
, nounced that a motion 10 adiour
, would be in order, accompanying tn
announcement with the assertion that
would be perfectly unconstitutional {
go step further. Rising hastily NJ
: Bell asked for letter Immediately, e1
: planning that he intends to leave Dela
ware City on Friday. The constitution
atty Of granting the request under Ii
circumstances was discussed for fe'
minutes and the discussion ceased whe
Mr. keigwin ruled that the reque
5 could be granted If the prcsbytcry /
: unanimous consent added to the thin
r item Of business mentioned III the ca
r "and grant Mr.. Bell letter of dismiss
! from New Castle Presbytery TO ii
! presbytery of Down, Ireland" The a,
dtion was promptly made and motto
$ to grant such letter was unanimous
g adopted.
Il The session concluded with prayer |
Z Dr. Marks, who duplicated Gods bles
J. ing on Mr. Bell in his new field.
= Mr.. Bell returned % Delaware Ci
II to-day Accompanied b. the Rev \
&c Addison Bcatson of It. Georges he "
n 90 to New York IN Friday, whence
n will sail the following day.