Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-07-09
DELAWARE GAZETTE AND STATE j


7th, the affairs of olivet Church. We
are constrained to make pathetic ap-
peal to the Presbytery to cease disturb.
ing the feelings of the members of the
church and preiudicing the public
mind against our welfare by making
public and discussing matters that be-
long to the domestic affairs of our in
dividual church. To the high author
ity Of the Presbytery we have submitted
with fear and respect and an earnest
desire to continue obediept prompts
us to hint to the Presby terry not to
force us into a position that would be
embarrassing to all parties concerned.
That we may be better understood
let us specify some of the grounds Of
our complaint.
This makes five times olivet Church
has had to undergo the. embarrassment
of exposure before the Presbytery, be-
sides heing discussed at the Synod at
Baltimore. At each time the discus
sion occurred il was published in the
papers with flourish.
We protest against the Presbytery
inetituting proceedings against our ses-
sion on cases that have been ut-lawed
by Limitation of time.
1--WE protest against the Presbytery
for attempting 10 consider judicial cases
at a pro re nata meeting when such
cases are to be dicussed only at a
regular meeting and then must come
up for discussion in legitimate way.
1--WE protest against the Presbytery
for attempting to usurp authority that
by constitutional right belongs to the
session Of the church. This assumption
was made by the moderator when he
announced that action would be taken
by the Presbytery on the action Of our
session when the suspended members
had not responded to our session before
going to the Presbytery.
I'VE protest against the Presbytery
for countenanciDg individuals who pri-
vately maintain that former acts Of the
Presbytery were illegal and invalid and
refuse to show compliance except by
acts of notorious insubordination.
I'VE protest against the Presbytery
for countenancing disturbers of the
peace who have been suspended from
our church for abusing their privileges
and forfeiting their claims. Any en-
couragement to them now only casts
reproach on civility and demoralizes
Justice. 4
We protest against the Presbytery
for intending to take action that would
cast reflection on our officers whom we
have elected and who have guided and
maintained our affairs amidst the most
extraordinary difficulties. We, expect
to sustain our officers against any ac-
tion or law that would corrupt good
morals.
We protest against the Presbytery
for the assumed propriety of sending
a committee to Oliyet Church when
we have no disturbance and commit
tee would probably do mischief and
ursettle our affairs. We would well
come friends for encouragement. but
any attempt to administer our affairs
in our stead now would not result in
good.
"We have made fair progress amidst
great hindrances and now we respect
fully ask and petition the Presbytery to
suppress our troublers both in and out
of the Presbytery and we with that the
Presbytery would respect the efforts
and progress that we have made.'
The petition was certified to by the
Rev. L. e. Montgomery as acted upon
at an informal meeting held after
prayermeeting on Wednesday night,
July 1st.
After the petition was read Mr..
Montgomery held that the Presbytery
did an injustice in not hearing it at
first. -a. rs! ~
The Rev. Mr.. Lewis stated that the
Presbytery had never heard the other
side, meaning that of the elders who.
had been suspended. He did not think
any minister should object to COM
mission coming to his church. If the
minister was right the commission
would say so; II wrong, he would have
TO abide by the action OF the Presby-
terry.
Mr.. Fitz Simon moved that the
moderator and Mr.. Keigwin be com.
mittee TO appoint the commission, TO
consist Of three minister's and two
elders. Mr.. Candy thought that they
should be appointed by the moderator
alone. Mr.. Keigwin remarked that
Mr. Candy need not worry about him.
Mr.. Canhy held that Mr.. Keigwin
should not be one of those to name the
commission. and Mr.. Keigwin himself
practically admitted that, as he is
complainant against the action of the
Presbytery. And so it was agreed that
the moderator should name the COM
mission.
The moderator addressed the meet
ing, declaring that so far us the COM
mission is concerned there is no insinu-
alton in regard TO any individual. He
desired all members to understand that
the Presbytery will not attempt to
meddle at all. 1t does not mean to say
that there is or is not any trouble, but
it wants to find out. If commission
should come to his church at Delaware
City he would give it meals and place
to sleep. On motion of Mr.. Keigwin,
the moderator, the Rev. Mr.. Oates, was
named as chairman Of the commission.
After motion to adjourn had been
made, Mr.. Montgomery, the pastor of
Olivet, addressed tho meeting saying,
among other things, that they would
treat the commission with respect, but
believed it was not needed. The meet
ing closed with prayer by the modera,
tor.
Water Department Annual Meeting.
The annual meeting OF the Board of