The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-04
DIR. ELLIS TRIAL.
Ten Days Delay Granted Him by
the Presbytery.
an Acrimonious Discussion on Question of
Christian Love and Brotherly Conduct.
Attorneys Retained.

yesterday In Calvary Church and continued
In session throughout the day. Rev. William
l.. Smith presiding as moderator.
Rev. W. A. Sample, D., was granted
letter Of dismissal to the presbytery of
Olympia and Rev. E. c. Jacka to the pres
bytery of Willamette.
Rev. ]. L. Scott and Rev. F. II. Robinson of
the presbytery of San Jose, and Rev. Joseph
Hamilton aud Rev. Henry LOOMS of the
presbytery of Benicia being present. were in
vited to sit as corresponding members.
The Committee on Records reported in eff
feet shat DR.. Ellis relations with the Gen.
trail Presbyterian Tabernacle ceased on
March l. 1891 Strong disapproval was ex-
pressed of the manner in which the records
Of that church were kept.
DR.. Ellis objected to the report vigorously,
but it was adopted with slight emendations.
Tile Rev. MI. Kerr, clerk, read q citation
from the Superior Court to show cause why
4 restraining order should not be issued on
the application of DR.. J. w. Ellis. to pre-
vent the presbytery from trying him on
charges OF unprofessional conduct until after
his suit against the presbytery has been ad-
Indicated.
The committee in whose hands the case
rests reported that J. B. Mhoon had been
ACbalICu III VI liG plCSO1 lCl duu
that he advised the presbylery to proceed
with the trial because the restraining order
proceedings had fallen through for lack of
proper service Of summons.
SOME WOULD, OTHERS WOULD NOT.
Some of the more radical members of the
body were anxious to proceed at once to
trial. Others thought little moderation
would eOmport more with their character as
e ~. hi
Finally. and it having been decided to
proceed with the trial, DR.. Ellis raised the
technical objection that under the rules of
the body lie could not be tried, because it
had not complied strictly with the legal re-
quirements. The records, in the first place,
he maintained. do not show that the pres
bytery was 10 meet on this occasion for the
trial. aud secondly, he had MOI been duly
notified. He was not prepared to go to
trial and in the exercise eff his legal rights
lie demanded at least ten days notice.
An examination of the records proved
that Dr. Ellis was right, although DR..
Shearer. DR.. Matthews and others were very
certain that at the previous meeting it had
been decided to proceed with the trial at
this meeting.
DIR. Matthews said he so understood 1t
and felt certain that DR.. Ellis must have
understood it so.
DR.. Shearer, the most active of all the
Presbytery in the prosecution of DR.. Ellis,
proposed to amend the minutes; "a very
simple matter" he said.
HE CoUNsELED CAUTION.
DR.. Matthews cautioned care in such a
proceeding. 1t might not be the wisest thing
TO do. Tbs records amended on such
vital point where there is doubt about the
facts might not make good appearance.
Alter half hour or more of friendless
cross-hring a motion was proposed that the
ten days demanded by DR.. Ellis be granted,
Dr. Shearer reluctantly giving his consent
Dr.. EaSton was not agreeable to that
plan, because he was in great need of a va
cation, and could not wait that long The
motion prevailed, however. and n commits
sion was appointed to take DIR. Eastons
testimony at once that he might not be de-
tained.
DR.. Chapman preciptatsd the most con-
sllcuous controversy of the session by
moving that a committee of three, composed
of TWO ministers and one elder, be appointed
10 wait upon DR.. Ellis meanwhile, APP
preaching him in the spirit of Christian love,
and ascertain whether reconciliation could
not be effected and the necessity of a trial
be ayerted.
The discussion against this motion was
acrimonious TO a surprising degree, con-
sidering that it was taking place in body
OF ministers of the gospel On the other
hand the true Christian spirit was album
dainty manifest.
I'VE ought to do this" urged DR.. Chap
man, lit would be in accord with the teach
ings of the dear old Book. Agai n. If this
presbytery has ever made single overture
in the true spirit of brotherly love toward
Brother Ellis it is not on record and the
public does not know it."
TOO LATE TO TALK THUS.
DR.. Shearer replied that it is too late to
talk that way, and limited that such course
would lay the presbytery liable in a civil
action.
ceeding," said he, and we can't do this
EOw. Moreover, no one knows better than
l how unavailing it would be. Ii Dr. Ellis
desires to come back the way he ought, I'm
willing 10 meet him more than half way. If
he wants 10 come the way is OPEN"
Rev. Mr.. Woodwork said the presbytery
could make no concessions.
We can't take anything back" he eX-
Claimed, i" without degrading our own con-
sciences"
He was opposed to any. one going to DR..
Ellis with even the suspicion of official sane
ton and Offering TO make any concessions
on the part of the presbytery. Then, in
fearful strain, he told of his fervent prayers
for the erring brother and how they awaited
him naught.
DR.. Matthews hoped the motion would
prevail.
J. B. Roberts spoke with view to down
he motion.
:. Nothing can be done now," he insisted.
4-Ahl4GL III 4@lilo 10 d pcl juror VI ILLS pres
bytery is a miserable BODY. We should
meet this matter squarely. It is all nom
sense TO expect that man to admit that he is
a perjurer."
Rev. II. Il. Rice favored the motion. be-
lieVlng it only a Christian course, and be-
coming body of ministers. 1t would i'm
ply no weakness whatever.
NOT IN FAVOR OF MAKING ovERTUREs.
Mr.. Fraser said he had changed his mind
since morning, and was not in favor of
making any. overtures toward DR.. Ellis at
all. DIR. Ellis is not showing a penitent
spirit.
DR.. Adams joined DIS. Chapman. Mat
thews and Rice.
DR.. Chapman added to his first remarks
that the public regarded the presby terry as
having gone after DR.. Ellis with hammer
and tOngs. He thought it bad impression
TO leave.
DR.. Easton took issue, and in long his.
tory of the case from the rOstrum accused
DR.. Chapman of having originated this
whole Ellis difficulty. He thought, having
reached the stage it had, it would be gross
immortality to make any concessions now.
This is the first time his name had been
dragged in the mire, and he would not
cease until it had been settled. and settled
right. he had employed w. Il. l.. Barnes
and Eugene Deuprey to defend him in
right settlement
DIR. EAsToN EXPLAINS
DIR. Chapman deplored the resort to per-
sonalities. He said he had been guided
through the case by what he regarded as the
right, and he hoped DIR. Easton would nodify
his remarks so as to avoid the necessity OF
him Dr. Chapman seeing him (Dr Easton)
in private. The explanation was made.
After two hours Of discussion the mo-
ton, amended to suit DR.. Shearer was
passed, but not until the Christian spirit i'm
parted to it by its mover had been entirely
shnrn from it.
The committee appointed was Dr. Chap
man, DIR. Matthews and Elder Mcconnell,
and the meeting adjourned until the 18th.
EX-CLERK BROAD.