The evening world., 1892-05-05
REV. DR.. MILL|GAN STEPS OUT.
Breaks with His Church Sooner
Than Be Disfranchised,
win Ally Himself with ~ More Lib
eral Branch of prcsbyterlanism.

The troubles Of the First Reformed PrcsbN-
tcrian church, IN Cna Funded and Nlnr-
tcCnth street, between fifth ard LCnuN ave-
, nucs, have eliminated Ia the acceptance OF
the resignation ol Pastor John {. Is. Milllgun
which was written last september.
Dr. Millyan was opposed to one Or the dis
tincllve Canans uf the braucho OF the reformed
Presbyterian Lhmcn to which lie belongs
ina: canon hold, that the Constitution OF the
| nltcd states dec not iu TERMS recognize a
supreme cod aud It forbids all toTcigu-born
members OF the church from becoming clti-
zens Of this country, ana all ma lvc-born
members IRON No.ing at city, state or Ma
liOual elections.
la his opp poitOn to this law OF the church,
I DR.. Mllligau was supported 10y majority OF
his congregation, who With INN, Insisted that
a mcmUcr Of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church might vote as an American citizen
without violating any OF the laws ur the
church. But year ago at the meeting ut
the synod at piJtsJurg, after a ilCrCe ngnt
this position was declared to be berctCa
DL MilIgan was enc OF the leaders OF the
minority in the synod, and though he had
been preacher UI tn" Reformed Prcshy-
terrain Church Tor n third Of IL century, he
recognized how Illogical it would be Tor him
under the circumstances to retain his pulpit
so IN September last he rendered his
resignation as pastor OF the FIRST church. A
committee consisting OF licv. james kennedy,
| or the Forty eighth street Church, as MUdcr-
atOr; Rev. Robert VI. Summcr rVile, OF the
Thirty ninth street church: R"v. =. j. Grove,
! Waiter I. Miller, Vi. Nj. Henry and Andrew
Alexander, was appointed with power to act
on The resignation, which the members OF MS
/ congregation were reluctant to accept.
The commission met TUESDAY evening and
It's proceedings were Of u lively nature. A
motion was made to lay the resignation on
the table, but Rev. Mr.. Milligau Insisted that
that would not do, and that the resignation
must BE- acted upon.
/ After much discussion, DR.. Milllgan'S resig-
nation was accepted, and on his demand, a
certificate was Issued to him, and his cOngre-
CATION was ordered to pay to him ) $50 for
moucy advanced by him TO pay interest on
the church mortgage and for arrears OF
salary.
/ Rev. DR.. Millgan does not believe the
church has the right to diSflanchioc its mem
berS and he l. supported almost unanimously
by the congregation, but three "a the tiNe
elders OF the church took the opposite view,
athO ugh charges Uf hcrcSy on III, Sc grounds
/ were dismissed by the PrcsDytery last Oc-
/ tOhCr
| Dr. Milligal says on the subject OF his res
| iguatiOn and It's effects
" / suppose shall he suspended IN June,
| when the SynOd meets | have resigned
, troln that body. l resigned IN order not To
| enUarraSS my congregation. ! do not look
! for any rcvulsiun OF feeling in the synod from
! the action or last year. ] may Join the United
I Presbyterian Church, as my brother and son
! nave already done, or may join the other
branch o! he Reformed Prcshy terian church,
{ which does not ODlige communicates 70 re-
/ strain from acts OF citizenship"