The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-11
MINISTER'S EXPELLED
Close Of the Ecclesiastical Trial
at Pittsburg.
DISSATISFIED WITH THE RESULT.

Several Clergyman Give Notice That
They Will Retire from the Cove
nantcr Church-A Belief That Many
of the Younger Members Will Fol.
low Them:
PrrrsBURG, June 1.-THE sensational
trials of the six young ministers of the
Reformed Presbyterian church has
ended, and the synod, by vote Of 05 to
81, expelled five of them from the church.
The charges against them were scandal,
libel and following divisive courses In
declaring in favor Of the right Of fran.
chise at a meeting in the East End of
this city. Their names are: Revs. e. N.
Milligan, ]. r. j. Milligan, W. H Reed,
w. l.. q. Sampson and j. O. X. Milligan,
The Rev. A. w. McClurkin's appeal
was sustained, and r. B. Burnett, q
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 the outside by sew.
eral ministers of the United Presby-
terian church, who extended to them in
informal way the right hand of fellow
ship.
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
he young men.
4 Ministers Who Will Resign.
Rev. J. T. Carson, of Brooklyn, said:
SIN view of the result of this vote Just
taken, and in view of the fact that as
soon as the result of your libel is set
tied, am going to leave the Covenanter
church, refuse to vote. / will never
vote again in this synod"
Rev. Thomas Logan, of Rochester,
gave warning that he would vote mo-
against everything that may come up.
Elder McAlee spoke for the Fourth
church, New York. He did not say ex-
actly what his congregation will do, but
it is well inferred that it will go out of
the Covenanter church.
Rev. j. l.. Mcllhinney said: 'I would
rather stand with the Lord than the Re-
formed Presbyterian church. Ivote no."
Rev. John Tease announced his with
drawal from the church, and asked for
letter of standing. He is missionary
among the colored people in Alabama.
The Rev. ]. r. Thompson said: ~
vote no. First, it was illegal, as there
was no written testimony furnished this
court on which to reach Judgment.
Second, it was unjust and wrong be-
cause the sentiment was too severe
against these young men. Third, the
vote OF this synod does not represent the
sentiment of the people, and you will
hear from the people later" Applause
followed this last remark, which was
general all over the house.
Rev. Mr.. MiiliGan's Appeal.
The Rev. E. NJ. Smith, of Baltimore.
declined to vote, because on next Sum
day he will tender his resignation to his
congregation and leave the Covenanter
church.
The Rev. E. NJ. Milligan was the first
to catch the eye of the moderator after
the announcement of the vote. He
said.
I'm view of the fact that this synod
has found me guilty of scandal, libel and
following divisive courses, therefore
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 the Revs. J. r.
Miliigan, w. H. Reed, w. l.. G. Simp-
son and ]. G. X. Milligan.
After adjournment Rev. DIR. Thomp-
son, of New York, said that there will
- ho ,SPho anu d neW congregation
formed, as that would cause fight for
church property, and further, there are
now enough congregations. But"
said the doctor, there will be slipping
away into other congregations, until the
church will lose u large part of the
younger element and those whom we ex-
pect to support the church in coming
years."
The thirty-seven who voted against
the suspension of the young men pre-
sented paper of dissent from the action
of the synod and asked that it be spread
upon the minutes.