Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-06-17
FIRED FROM THE CHURCH.
Five Reformed Presbyterian Ministers
Expe1ed-Others Will Resign.

Five Reformed Presbyterian Ministers
ExpelIed-Others Will Resign.
PITTsBURG, Pa, June 10.-The sem
sational trials of the six young ministers
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church
ended to-day, and the synod, by vote
of 90 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 franchise at meeting
in the East End of this city. They are
the Revs. E. NJ. Milligan, j. r. J. Mill
gan, W. II. Reed, w. L. G. Samson and
J. c. K. Milligan. Rev. A. w. Nc
Ciurkin's appeal was sustained. 4. B.
Burnett, a 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 several ministers Of the
United Presbyterian Church, who ex-
tended to them in an informal way the
right hand of fellowship.
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
the young men. When the Rev. J. f.
Carson's name was called he said: "In
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 settled | am
going to leave the Covenanter church,
[ refuse to vote. l will never vote
again in this synod"
Rev. Thomas Logan, of Rochester,
gave warning that he would vote no
against everything that may come up.
Elder McAtee spoke for the Fourth
exactly what his congregation will do,
but it is we'll inferred that it will
go out of the Covenanter church.
Il would rather stand with
the Lord than the Reformed Presbyte-
rian Church. [ vote no." John Teaz
announced his withdrawal from the
church and asked for letter of stand
ing. He is missionary among the
colored people in Alabama. Rev. j. r.
Thompson said: 81 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 sentence was too severe
against these young men. Third, the
NOl0 VI GulS Sy uOu uO6S uOI ICpTcSeut
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
The moderator made an attempt to sup-
press 1t but could not. DR.. McCallister
said that this is his church, and any
buster or show like this must not be
tolerated, and if it occurred again meas
ures would have 20 be taken to stop it.
Rev. E. NJ. Smith, of Baltimore, de-
clined to vote because on next Sunday
he will tender his resignation TO his
congregation and leave the Covenanter
church. His reason is that he cannot
believe longer in the principles of the
Covenanter church. This statement
created quite a sensation for moment,
but il was quickly hushed.
Rev. E. M. Miliigan was the first to
catch the eye of the moderator after
the announcement of the vote. He
said: "In 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 en-
lightened Christian conscience and
place myself on trial in the Mononga-
heia Presbytery of the United Presby
terrain Church" He was followed by
Revs. ]. r. J. Milligan, w. H. Reed,
w. L. c. Samson and Rev. j. C. K. Mil