Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-14
Rev. J. R. ]. Milligan Not at all
DiViSiye in His Defense Before
the Pittsburg Presbytery.
A VERY CONCENTRATIVE EFFORT.
Both Sides on Their Mettle, Dancing on
the East End Platform, and In
terest Does Not Flag.
SYNOD AND COURT DECISIONS ALIKE.
Prof wlscn Says tn. Latest Must Be Regarded Al
Law, fos the Time

The Covenanfers who are hunting heresy
in their ranks, yesterday put in another
day 1t Williamsburg, this time Rev. j. Il. j.
Mllligan, OF Allegheny, being the trial.
To many who seem to think the Cameron
isns, Covenanters, or Reformed Presby-
terians as they are now called, are overly
Jealous in their efforts to keep the lines OF
church doctrine intact, brief history of the
organization may be interesting, as ex-
planstorY of the rigidity OF the prosecution
In the present case. for it is simply in line
with the neyer-say-die character of the body,
conceived in the throes OF the days when it
cost much to progress and practice religious
dissent from a church which ruled by the
strong arm of the law.
They were first called Cameronians. from
Richard Cameron, an original leader, and
Covenanters, from the covenant made in
1858. The action of the English and Scotch
Parliaments in regard to conventicles and
the legalized prosecutions under Turner,
Dalziel and Drummond; the famous writ of
law burrows issued by Charles II. in 1910;
the intercommuning expedient of Lauder
dale and Sharp, and the execution of
Mitchell in 1879. exasperated the Covenant
ers, anu they felt impelled to unsheath the
sword of the Lord and Gideon. They made
stand at Boutwell, bridge, which ended in
disaster.
A Proclamation With Long Title.
In 1850, Cameron and Cargill met at San
qunsr on June %, and put out "a Declara-
tiou and Testimonial of the True Presbyte-
ran, Anti-Prelatic, Anti-Erastian and
Prosecuted Party in Scotland They
proclaimed war, denounced Charles
IL as a traitor and usurper, and
protested against receiving tie Duke
of York in Scotland. Only &c
men could be mustered to sustain the
declaration. but they evidently considered
that possibly the race might not be to the
swift or the battle to the strong. They
made stand at Aird's Moss on the 20th of
July following, when Cameron and several
of his followers fell in skirmsh Cargill
escaped, and continued to preach in woods
and fields.
In 1851 the Royalists added the test and
the Covenanters denounced it at Lanark,
on January u, 1852. and again affirmed
the Sanquhar declaration. This was re-
peated in 1854 and in 1856 on the accession
OF the Duke of York as James II. They
supported the Prince of Orange in his long
contest against the House of Stuart, but
were displeased on account of the form in
which the Presbyterian Church was re-
stored. The Coyenanters opposed the union
OF England and Scotland.
Their distinguishing feature in all their
career is that their backs are SO stiff that
they usually break and scarce ever bend,
and in this instance the Presbytery holds
the Church to be but schism if it allows the
deviation claimed by the defendants
No doubt if the controversy were to con-
tinue, and no more OF the original body left
Khan the band that backed Cameron, the
remnant would go down with colors flying.
and when it could no longer say Scissors"
make the motion with its fingers.
Two More Preachers on Trial.
The Pittsburg Presbytery of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church met again in wilkins
burg yesterday morning to try Revs. j. H. j.
Milligan, of Allegheny, and A. W. McClurkin
OF New Alexandria, charged with pursuing
dlvlSlve courses in taking part in the East End
meeting which built the Objectionable Mat
form, one which the regular Covenanter con-
slders too broad. DR.. David McAllister, of the
Eighth Street Church, resumed the Modera-
tors chair, and Prof. ID. B. Wilson of the
Theological Seminary, and Rev. A fitzpatrick
continued the role of prosecutors. The ac-
cused were strongly backed by Sympathlzers
The suspended ministers. the two Milligans
Temple and Samson were present, but Rev
Reed was not. They did not appear to have
lost flesh.
Rev. J. r. ]. MIlgan demanded q severance
and was backed by sir. McClurkin and after
some sparrIng got it, The Moderator gave Mr..
Mhllgan chance 70 retract, but he preferred
trlaL AS to the necessity OF such trial there
were sharp passages between Rev. Miiligan
and DR.. George, of Beaver Falls and Prof
wilson. Questions of veracity were raised.
and the Moderator charged Rev. Mllligan with
capuousness In denying some of the state
ments OF the prosecution. The result of il all
was that the charges were entertained. The
libel was declared relevant, that is if proven it
constituted an offense, Rev. Milligan excepting
al each stage of the proceedings.
D. {. Martin, a presbyter, presented memo
Elal signed by 20U members of Rev. Millioan's
church demonstrating against the prosecution
and expressing high regard for him. 1t was
read, alter hot discussion, and it was agreed
20 allow deputation to plead his cause. WILL
lam Martin opposed, strongly insisting that the
memorial was a Misrepresentation.
How MIR. NIilligan Was Favored.
Mr. Milligan Jared better than the suspended
i've. having the line of argument of the prose.
cuuon and whole month in which to obrepare
his defense, and all who heard him agreed that
he had made good use of his time.
Preliminaries were not finished when the
time arrived for noon lunch.
The afternoon session was opened in +ha
usual manner by PRAYER and roll call and then
the representatives of the Allegheny concrera.
tlon were given half an hour to express dissen+
10 the libel charging Rev. J. r. }, MiIlran win
following diVlsive courses, etc.
Martin Premier spoke first He said amonc
other things. that the action of the PresbytorS
had sent thrill of horror through the co1Cre
CATION. Ii had testified its esteem for MT Mil.
llSan since the late trial by raising his salary
from Sl,SUO to S2,lO1 a year. Never IN his mas
torate, said Mr.. Premier. has Nv
Mllllgan uttered sentence rejecting on
the doctrine or practice of the
cussion, or any other, since the questions
at issue were discussed in the church He
asked II Christ was not following diyisiye nrac-
tlces when lie dismissed the woman at ubon,
accusers feared to cast stones lest they Law
themselves open to the charge of iuconsistency
froi: wilson raised the point that the con-
gregauon should not try the case but merely
be allowed to rallv round their pastor
Moderator McAlister decided that full lati
tude should De allowed to the congregation for
the half hour allowed for representation.
Mr.. Premier went on then To saw
that as Reformed Presbyterian
he claimed the right to cover the whoIo ran1a
of controversy. He asked that the libel he
dismissed as the only hope of the Continued
well-being of the Allegheny congregation He
said they could not spare their pastor as good
pastors were scarce.
Can't Be Picked Up Every Day.
There might be some to spare at the Semi.
nary. but the speaker wanted Rev. Mr.. Milliran
sent home 10 his wife and congregation. Good
pastors cannot. said Mr.. PREMIER be gotten on
demand in au intelligence office aud M