Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-06-17

and although the Olivet Church trouble
occupied the greater part OF that time,
finnl action unon the question of ac-
copting the resignation OF the Rev. Il.
Il. Montgomery was postponed until
the fall meeting. To the discontinue
OF 30 or more persons, mostly women,
and the majority OF whom were friends
of Mr.. Montgomery, the Preshytery de.
cided after some discussion, to Sit With
closed doors. An attempt by Mr.. Mont
gomery to withdraw bis resignation
failed TO receive the approval Of ma
jority vote, and consequently 1t is still
pending. George II. Trull accented a
call to the pastorate OF Eastlake Church
mud arrangements were made for his
ordination and installation on July
18th.
The Presbytery convened according
to adjournment in Central Preshy terian
Church at 2 o'cinck and was opened
with prayer by the moderator, the Rev.
N, II, Miller, u. D.. OF Newark. The
Rev. Luther A. Oates of Delaware City
was appointed to act aa clerk.
The first of tho attacks upon tho
Oiivet trouble cana in the selection
of the committee to report on the
minutes OF Olivet Church. DR.. Miller
annouced the following compittee: The
hcNbs az ViUSuTuNt II. 1bgltNt
ID. ID, and W. Ii. Stone, anu Elders j.
j. Buck and NJ. d. Crossan. DR..
tisyley asked leave to decline from
serving on the committee, as he did
not want anything to do with the
affairs OF the church. Upon DR.. Moore's
name being suggested Mr.. Moore pro.
tested against serving. Mr.. Mont
gomery spoke farorably OF Mr.. Moore.
hut the latter still objected. The Rev.
j. L. Vailandigham moved to excuse
DIR. Gayley. but the motion was lost
by vote OF Prssbytsry. The committee,
therefore. stood as first named,
1t was about this time that the Rev.
S. Beattie Wylie Of New Castle made
his ''closed doors" motion, which was
"that when We come 10 deal with the
Olivet Church matter we sit with
closed DOORS" This motion. which
was seconded, was very displeHsinp 10
tho large number OF persons from Olivet
Church, consisting mostly OF women;
who had come to hear the uction of
Presbytery concerning their pastor.
And Mr.. Montgomery's opponents were
also represented in the audience, and
they too would like to have been present
during the consideration OF the trouble.
Mr.. Wylie's motion at once excited
discussion which was not entirely con-
cluded even after three votes had 70.
suited 10 the carrying OF the motion.
DIR. Keigwin expressed himself as 10
favor of il and DR.. Vallandigham op,
posed it. Mr.. Milligan spoke in favor
OF having open doors and OF allowing
the newspaper men to remain. DIR.
Gayley was for closed doors. Mr.. Wylie
insisted on his motion. DIR. Marks
thought the purpose OF the meeting
could be answered by the commis-
sioners present for the congregation
and 1t would be less embarrassing to
have the meeting without the public
present. He favored allowing the stated
clerk TO give out whatever report was
tn be made.
Elder Blake OF Elkton expressed the
hope that the motion would not prevail,
feeling that by this tims closed meet
ings should he thing OF the past. II
the reporters we're allowed to be present
they could say what they heard rather
than get reports elsewhere. III any.
thing was going to he said that ought
not to 20 out, such things ought not to
be said.
The first vote On the "closed doorH'
motion showed 10 for and 10 against 1t.
The moderator was allowed TO put tbt
motion again, but first there was more
discussion. This Rev. II. A. Davidson
recalled when the doors were closed al
Zion Church and the people were lef
out in the cold and he thought mis-
take had been made. lie thought 1t |
nifty il any minister would say what h'
would fear going into the newspapers
MIR. Montgomery made a plea for al
open session as his friends were ther'
to sue what their commissioners woult
do.
DR.. McCurdy objected to ths idei
that closed doors mean shield behin(
which one might say what ha would b.
ashamed to say publicly. But he de
olared ii to be privilege of iudicia
bodies to deliberate in private; and !
was not from shamefacedness or bold
ness. but on the ground OF expediency
Upon tho moderator's putting tn
''clossd doors" motion the second tim
the vote stood IA to IA. 1t was thel
decided to call the roll on the motion
and that resulted in carrying it by
vote of IL to 12, as follows:
Ayes-1he Rev. Messrs. Marks. Nc
Curdy, Jefferson, Sbanks, Wylie. Stone
Gnyley, Lewis, Oates and Moore, an
Elders Candy, Prickett, Buck an
Crossan--1a.
Nays--The Rev. Messrs. Taylor, Val
landigham, Keigwin, Montgomery
Fitzsimon, Davidson and Milligan, an
Elders RommelI, Blake, Skinner, Pic
and Vincent-l2.
Dr. Gayley favored the immediat
consideration OF the Olivet Churc
case, hut Mr.. Prickett thought it woul
be beat first to bear the report OF III
committee on the minutes. While th
COMMITTEES was at work the oxamini
tion OF Mr.. Trull was continued. III
report on the church minutes was PR
sentad later by DIR. McCuidy, who al
nounced that the committee was unan
nous, and recommended tho apprny
OF the records OF the church as writtsl
with some exceptions. A record al
peared of congregational meeting ha
for the election of ruling elder, b'
there was no record that public motif
had heen given, calling the congreg
tion TO meet for that purpose; neitn
had any public notice been given OF II
election OF deacons held at thu san
meeting. No notice appeared OF q
ordination of Mr. Eastman to tho Oil
OF ruling elder On page II was q
following minute of Olivet session: -
motion was made and carried that CO
rectiuns in minutes, ordered by FRESH
terry in minutes OF April 1atb, 9G
made" but no record appeared ID
said corrections were made. Dr. NJ
purdy went on TO say that II was d
tn thsan -