The herald., 1896-07-07
PRESBY1ERY MEETS AGAIN
The Outcome of Its De-
liberatiOnS
REV. HOWARD REJECTS 0VERTURES
He Will Not Reconsider His
Decision
DROPPED FROM THE ROLL
Pastoral Letter Sent to Westminster
Church
Harmony and Brotherly Love Prevailed In
the Proceedings
Occidental College VIII Be RcbulIt-seve-al
Sites Offered But No Selections Made
Yet-Committee to Report
This Morning

The session of the presbytery ad-
journed from June 22d convened yester-
day morning in Emmanuel church to
complete unfinished business; more
especially to take final action upon the
long drawn out case Of Rev. Burt Estes
Howard and Westminster Presbyterian
crurch The meeting was opened with
prayer by the moderator, Rev. L. T.
Laverty, and Prof. Wadsworth was
elected secretary pro tenn in the absence
of the clerk. At roll call by the stated
clerk Rev. =. Young, thrtyfve minis
ters and ten elders answered to their
names. Reverends =. ID. Emery of Coun-
Gil Bluffs, Iowa, J. b. Taylor of Trinity,
Texas, Robert X. Campbell of Chilli
cothe, Mo-, and r. w. b. Bryan of Chi
cago, we're introduced as visiting breth-
rem and were welcomed by the presby-
terry rising
The moderator called for a report from
the committee appointed at the previous
session to prepare pastoral letter to
Rev. Burt Estes Howard and Westmins-
ter congregation. A reply from thelat-
ter was read by the stated clerk signed
by j. X. Hoffman, j. c. Salisbury and
others. which was in brief to the effect
that they We're elders of the First Pres
byterian church and refused to consider
communication addressed to them as
elders of Westminster.
On motion the letter was laid on the
table.
Rev e. E. Howards reply as read was
as follows:
1.-The communication which you We're
authorized to mail me has been duly re-
ceived. In accordance with a request
therein made l now reply through you
as directed. You will bear my greetings
to the presbytery and will inform the
gentlemen kindly that their letter has
been carefully and courteously consid-
cred, but that inasmuch as no questions
have been raised by it that were not fully
thonnhtsaut before my action was taken
formally renouncing the jurisdiction of
the presbytery and withdrawing from
its connection, cannot recede from the
position alredy assumed"
DR.. Chichester said he rose with diff
dence and trepidation to suggest that
the wisest course to pursue under the
circumstances would be to dissolve the
relationship of Mr.. Howard as pastor Of
Westminster church and his name be
stricken from the roll of membership of
the presbytery.
Several things might be DONE but he
could not see any good that would result
from such action. The doctor read an
extract from a letter of DR.. +. c. Mon
fort of Cincinnati, to whom he had writ
ten to consult on the intricacies of the
case under consideration The letter
counseled in effect the course which he
suggested. and cited instances in point
The doctor offered the following mo-
ton:
First-That the pastoral relations ex-
listing between Rev. b. e. Howard and
the Westminster Presbyterian church
of Los Angeles be dissolved.
Second-That presbytery waive the
course of ordinary legal procedure in the
case of Rev. b. c. Howard, and while
still maintaining the position taken III
a communication from presbytery to Mr..
Howard, dated June 22d, upon ground of
clemency, Mr.. Howard's remuneration
of presbytery's jurisdiction be recorded
and his name be dropped from the roll 3"
This motion was the signal for general
discussion. which followed pretty lively,
though noticeably free from any appar-
ent feeling of bitterness or condemna e.
tion.
Mr.. Stewart of Redlands thought the
book was clear on their duty in follow
ing the strict letter of the law, but he
was willing that the letter should be
strained if the spirit was observed. He
was anxious to protect Mr.. Howard
with whom he had frank and friendly
talk, and found him still maintaining
the same position as stated in his letter
Judge Mckinley had attended Mr.
Howard's church, he said and found
large congregations. If Mr. Howard
could do any good he was willing to bid
him God speed, and congratulated DR..
Chichester ALSO
He cited the cases of Prof Swing OF
Chicago and DR.. Chambers of Philadel-
phia. In twenty years the latter re-
fllrnpd tn "A hu o-,d .
with open arms, and he hoped this case
might result the same, and the way
should be left open. Grant, said: "Let
us have peace" and that sentiment
should be re-echoed by this body.
DR.. Fife said he should vote for it, not
because there was any resemblance in
the precedentS cited, as in those cases
the pastors were not under condemna-
tion, but in the interest of peace and har-
mony
Mr.. Stewart said the presbytery hal
reached the most solemn point in its
actlon. To drop a minister's name is
a serious thing. and he thought it
sloulo be done prayerfully.
". Parker was thereupon called to
Lead in prayer, followed by DR.. Marks.
the rather of the presbytery, who made
iervent petition for Mr. Howard.
Mr. Young said the church was not
DEBATING club, and a church should not
TeHouhce lts government with the same
freedom 1t would leave a club; there
snoulu De some way for the presbytery
to protect itself and its memberships
from the appropriat ton of its funds
While the highest tribunals had sustain. :.
ed the presbytery, he was willing to
concede as a peace measure. if If was
unanimous, but he did not want anv on.
posing m:S1bers to go before the synod
complainiriSe>cf their action and thus
prolong the discussion.
DR.. johnson was opposed to doing anv.
thing nominal that was not real TIo
presbytery had put itself on record AMI
ne did not know that they must complete
the sentence
The discussion continued until Mr.
Hartley, whose voice is always raised In
the interest of harmony and charity
called for the question, and both mo.
tions were carried unanimously.
Mr.. Stewart suggested that in order
to show the kindly feeling of the presby-
terry committee be appointed to convey
this action personality to Mr. Howard.
Put to vote, 1t was carried unanimous
iy, and the chair appointed Mr.. Stewart,