New-York tribune., 1895-12-28
CHURCH MEMBERS ON TRIAL
MR.. WIDDEMER's FOLLOWERS CALLED TO
FACE THE PRESBYTERY.
THE SUMMoNsEs DIsoBEYED-THREE ELDERS
CAUGHT ny SECOND CTTATIoN-LONG
LIST OF CHARGEs-JURIsDICTIoN OF
TIE PRESRYTERY DENIEp-THEY

PLEAD NOT GUILTY.
Asbury Park, Dec. 27 (SpeciaD-The Monmouth
Presbytery and the members Of the First Presby-
terian Church of Asbury Park locked horns aga.n
to-day and fought on she skirmish line. In answer
to the citations issued by the commission appointed
by the Presbyiery its last meeting there a..
notable dearth of Presbyterians at the session OF
the commission held in the lecture-room of the
FIRST Church this morning. The alleged contuma-
cous members who summoned to answer to
charges of conduct unbecomng Christians in re-
naming loyal to their deposed pastor had held
several consultations since the citations were
served upon them. and they all agreed not to APP
pear before the committee this morning The mod
orator read their names but there were no
answers, the committee. after a conference, took
a recess until o'clock this afternoon. At that
time Elders George Smock. William +. LIE Roy
and Daniel Meheghan made before the
The three elders had been caught by
second citation issued by the committee and served
during
Under the law of the Presbyterian Church. hav
ing been twice cited. they now compelled 10
stand trial unless they could offer substantial oo-
jec.on to jurisdiction. form procedure Previous
the opening of the court a private conference
was held with the accused church members, at
which futile efforts were made TO bring them back
in harm@ny with the Presbytery. High words
exchanged in the committee Groom, and the
noise of the controversy penetrated through the
doors to the auditorium outside. The commission,
having exhausted all its pacific resources. finally
settled down to stern work.
CHARGED WITH VIOLATING THEIR VOWS.
The charges against the elders forth that
they were guilty Of conduct unbecomng Christians
and inconsistent with impliediy entered into
by them. in uniting with the Church; in wilfully
emptng themselves from the Church; in refusing TO
contribute the expenses OF the Church; in giving
influence and pecunary aid person (meaning
the Rev Howard T. Widdemor as supply of the
Church who had been previously disqualified for
such services; in lending their influence TO move
contrary the interests of the Church.
ing to threaten schism and in fomenting dissen-
sions AS elders they charged with having
violated promise 10 give obedience to the author
fly of tho Presbytery and to their utmost eff
forts TO bring the Church and the congregation
into obedient harmony with the Presbytery Of
Monmouth.
After the reading of the charges Elder Smock
asked for time to prepare defence He said they
were not ready to so to trial. and he doubted if
the committee had the power TO go right on with
the proceedings. Dr. Van Dyke contended that
they did have the power, and he read Church law to
this effect. Failing secure adjournment, Ny.
Smock. on behalf of himself and his brother Off
GERS, interposed the following objections, which
taken up seriatim and finally overrued by unani-
nous vote of the commission:
First, the committee is not regularly organ
lied, because it is not composed of members abso-
lutely impai tal in the matter TO be inquired into
Second, the committee has no jurisdiction, because
the matters sought to be inquired into properly
under the jurisdiction of the session of the First
Iresby terrain Church Of Asbury Park, y. j.. only,
and the Presbytery has no legal or constitutional
right TO appoint judicial commission or committee
to try them any charges which may be preferred
| against them in this proceeding
THE RIGHT TO HAVE COUNSEL.
Mr.. Smock said "Well, gentlemen not
prepared TO go with just now, as we
have only received our charges. We have no coun-
sell and it is certainly right are entitled to-"
DR.. Van Dyke, MIR Alexander James Steen
LAWYER and other members of the committee thought
the accused should be tried at once. DR.. Van Dyke
wanted TO know why they failed to appear in the
morning The elders said they had other business
/ TO attend to. Finally, motion of Mr.. Alexander
the court adjourned until 0:30 o'clock next Friday
morning, when not only the three elders, but also
the members of the congregation who follow Mr.
Widdemer will be compelled TO appear and answer
the charges against them.
In the mean time Mr. Widdemer, who has just
returned from Christmas holiday visit has been
Methodist Church. lie will hold his service as usual
in the Opera House Sunday afternoon. Announce
ment was made by his friends to-day that Senator
Bradley had rendered the of Library Hall for
the congregation led by Mr. Widdemer, and that
services would be held there regularly after next
Sunday The Board Of Trustees of the First Presby-
terian Church claim the right to close the doors of
that edifce. and II is said II the present trouble
continues they will DC so.
As q final act in to-day ecclesiastical drama. the
three accused elders called upon to plead TO
the charges against them Mr. lie Roy, who said
/ that he had not examined the papers, declined to
plead Under the rules this declination recorded
as a plea of no. guilty. Messrs. Smock ana
Meheghan pleaded not guilty.