The morning times., 1896-11-13
MORE ELDERS FOR TALMAGE
First Presbyterian Church Makes
Some Radical Departures.
Six Ruling Elders Elected by the
Congregation with Terms IF
Service Limited.

The traditions of a century at the
First Presbyterian Church were changed
last night at meeting OF the congrega
ton, at which Limitation was placed
on the terms OF six new ruling elders, who
were then elected Heretofore the prac-
tiCe. has been that the ruling elders b.
elected for life, but there has been moth
ing in the rules to prevent a Limitation.
Rev. DR.. Byron Sunderland, pastor OF
the church, explained the law and prac-
tice to the congregation after stating the
object of the meeting to be the enlarge
ment OF the number OF trustees and the
filling of places that had been allowed TO
be vacant. DR.. Talmage, who was absent,
had suggested that i'll view OF the grow
ing Importance of the church the po-
stions should be filled and the proper
number OF additions made.
The attendance Of the congregation was
not large, the highest number OF vote;
cast being thirty-four.
In accordance with the rules OF the
"Form OF Government" Mr.. F. B
I'alyrmple, clerk of the session, acted u.
clerk of the meeting Mr.. DalyrInple Of
fered the following:
Whereas, the session Of this church is
too small Tor church having the member
ship of the First Presbyterian Church;
Resolved, That the session shall here
after consist of nine ruling elders of the
active list until such time as by the vote
Of the members of the church i'll full com
munion it shall be determined to increase
the mum her; that we now proceed to the
election Of six ruling elders; that in the
event OF more than six being voted fol
the six having the highest number OF votes
shall he declared elected"
Mr.. +. y. Fenning moved that the six
elected be divided into groups. the frs,
two to serve for three years, the second
two for two years, and the last two fol
one year. This was adopted. 1t, how
ever. brought up some discussion as tc
how this action was to affect the elders
three IN number, who are holdovers, but
Or. Sunderland, the moderator, pointed
cut that their life term could not be af
fccted by expost-facto legislation.
The three elders who are enjoying life
terms are F. B Dalrymple. +. +. Sargent
ard Alfred Lockhart, Mr q. c. Wight
having died, and Mr.. Octavius Knignt
having removed from thechurch bounds
The following were proposed by Mr.
Dalrymple: DR.. Gabriel F Johnston, DR.
William NJ Newell, William Jordine, DR.
II. L. Mann, Edward Bailey, and C. 1.
Dubois.
DR. Johnston protested against the con-
gregaiion voting for him but the moderator
ruled that the time for deciination would
be after the election and the ratification
OF tiie etectiOn.
Ballots were distributed aud the congre
g;t,ion voted. although by d vote the con
SrcEaiion refused TO reopen the nomina-
lions after they had been declared closed
by DR.. Sunderland. When the nominations
had been made Dr. Sunderland stated that
II there were to be others they could be
made
The vote resulted: Jordine 33 Mann 20,
Dubois 80. Newell 90. Bailey 27 and A
Fenning Is. Mr.. Fenuing was evidently the
dark horse put in by Dr. Johnston who
carried his point, notwithstanding the lJnr-
iamentary tactics.
The terms of the new clders> will be
Jnrdine and Mann or Dubois, three wears.
Mann or Dubois and Newell for two
years, and Bailey and Fenuing for one
year. As NeSsrs. Jnrdinc and Dubois
each received thirty votes, they will have
to settle between them who is to have
the thrce-ycar term. In the order of
voting. however, DR.. Mann appears TO be
entitled to it, but for no other apparant
reason. A week hence the newly elected
elders will accept formally their posi-
uUnS in the church