The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-14
CONGREGATION ANGRY.
Some Harsh Things Said About the Presby.
terry Of New Castle Last Might.

The congregation of Olivet Presbyterian
Church last night after tho regular weekly
prayer meeting held an Indignation meet
ing, at which the complaint to be present.
ed to the Synod ofBaltimore was read and
the bitterness of the Presbytery's action
reached such height that it was propos.
cd to pass resolutions condcmnatory of
the dissolving Of The pastoral relations OF
Rev. 7. E. Montgomery.
Mr. Montgomery was in charge OF the
meeting and referring to the complaint
said that it had been inferred that he alone
would be responsible for the complaint to
the Synod. This he said was untrue He
wanted the, congregation to decide the
He then explained that the commission
ers were appointed by the congregation to
show cause why the pastoral relation
should not be dissolved and that the duty
rested on them until the case was finally
settled and that his desre one way or the
other should not affect their action
The complaint was then read 1t con-
tains seven strongly. wordod general roa.
sons, with several subdivisions. In every
way 1t clearly sets forth that in the opinion
of the congregation they have been wrong.
fully treated. One charge is that tho
Presbytery acted with undue haste in de-
caring the pulpit vacant before the meet.
Ing CT the SYNOD.
George Rommell asked If undue haste
could be- maintained. He said ho received
u letter from ex. Moderator Miller, who
was chosen by the Presbytery to declare
the pulpit vacant on Sunday. stating that
he would be willing to postpone that pro-
Ceedipg. This was surprise to many, and
was deemed by them an evidence that Mt
least Mr.. Miller thought the Presbytery
had acted with undue hastein the matter
Later Professor g. +. Eastman stated
that yesterday he received letter from DIR.
Miller, who said he would be at Olivet
Church on Sunday to declare the pulpit
vacant
This caused an outburst from S. S.
johnson. MILLER Is on q par with the rest
of the Presbytery." he declared. He then
stated that DIR. Miller was willing to throw
the matter to one sido. He docs not care
anything about the law. All they want Is
to break up Olvet Church and to declare
the pulpit vacant "rhat's Miller" he
changing his mind"
William II. German thought tho con.
greget!on and the pastor have been greatly
wr0nged. He urged his fellows to stand
for tho right. Benjamin Hopkins had no
confidence in the presbytery. He had
seen enough of their work. There are
some good men in 1t, and some terrible
men. They have no principle, not
particle, he stated If the congregation
leans On presbytery 1t will lean Oh broken
staff.
N. B. Culbert, member of Central
church, said that the Oliyet people desorv-
ed more credit thad any church in tho
city.
They have stood together nobly, and
have been successful. He said there were
some men in tho presbytcry who would
rule like the Gar of Russia. He alluded
especially to one at New Castle. who,
as he said ito use slang expression, will
time that he will not have time 10 meddle
with Olivet."
MIR. Culbert also said that the presby-
terry, by it's recent action, had opened af-
fairs that were settled He referred to the
prejudice Of some of the ministers, whom,
he said, had apparently lost their Christi
anity, or they never had any.
Mr. Culberl again took the floor. He
thought the presbytery should be rebuked
for its insult to tbs SO ,sion and congrsga :
tion of Olivet Church. He said the rights
OF the session and of the congregation had
been taken away, and also referred to tho
fact that the session is the first court IN
the Presbyterian Church. He thought u
vote of censure to the presbytery would TO
timely.
Mr.. German and several other members
of the Church also favored the resolution,
but il was not adop ed as the complaint to
theSynod was regarded aI an implied cen.
sure upon tho action Of the proSbytery.
The meeting was neither duly called ore
and any action would therefore have no
weight.