Evening journal., 1897-10-16
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
ADVICE ro oLIYEr.

I
Sir: | read an article in your paper
OF October 13, headed, "The Appeal to
Synod" on the case Of Oliyet Presby
terian Church, of which Rev. Mr. Mont
gomery is pastor II states that the
Presbytery deposed him against the
wishes Of a large majority Of the mem
bers OF said church, and appointed Or.
Miller, the late moderator, TO declare
the pulpit vacant tomorrow, three days
before the Synod meets in Baltimore, |
In my opinion it is a premattTe, hasty |
and unwise thing for this body OF Pres
byters to do in this case
l never saw in print what the origi- |
nal trouble was, but being in the Vi
oinity of Olivet Church recently on a
Sunday afternoon, l thought / would
pay visit there and look at the build
ing. The Sunday school was about to
convene and | asked an aged man, who
seemed to take an interest in thel
church, what was the grievance in the
church. Well" said he, there really
is no grievance, but few discontented
ones are trying to make one Mr.. Mont
gOmery boarded with one Of his elders
and desirous of changing, he left and
/ being a single man, fitted up his study
| in the infants school room, putting
shelves up for his library. His late
| boardingmaster in order to vent his
spite on the pastor, sought the aid OF
another elder, and also one or two of
| the trustees and demanded the pastor
to vacate his new study. He refused to
do so, hence all this fuss and trouble
/ Then these ministers Of the Gospel Of
! Christ decided against Mr.. Montgomery,
i which. in my opinion, is wrong. lt is
also the opinion of three-fourths of the
congregation. Public opinion is in
favor of the young minister. | cannot
understand how these Presbyters who
profess to be the followers of Christ can
deal with one of their brothers in this
same cause for such a trifing act as
above stated. In my opinion he is
blameless in the sight of God and man,
having committed no wrong in this
case. He is more sinned against than
: SHINING.
Matthew, 9Th chapter, from the 7th
verse. says: Blessed are the merciful
for they shall obtain mercy; blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see
God; blessed are the peace-makers, fol-
they shall be called the children oi
, God; blessed are they which are perse
= cuted for righteousness sake, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven; blessed ar'
a We when men shall revile you and per
+ secute you and shall say all manner o
n evil against you falsely for My sake
= rejoice and be exceeding glad, TO
" great is your reward in heaven, for 81
I prosecuted they the prophets whicl
we're before you" Read all this tiftl
chapter of Matthew through and lear
of Christ how to treat a brother.
1t appears that in many instances tn
lawmakers are the law-breakers. El
p ders ought to be peace-makers, net co
= ercionists, but spiritual-minded, work
d ing in and for the cause of the Mastel
7, Trustees ought to work for the tempo
~ raj interest of the church and stud
I. the principals of equity and econom!
~ Pastor, elders, trustees, deacons an
congregation ought to be OF one min'
p carrying out the government OF tn
r. church as it is laid down in the const
s. tuition, from which the Constitution
oi this country is copied.
lie In conclusion I say to the people I
er Olivet Presbyterian Church, as the col
st sHtutions of our church and ourcountI
D. give majorities the right to rule,
x would advise you to hold the fort, az
= if Brother Miller comes up from New
ld ark to declare your pulpit vacant, te
" him he cannot do it--that you will n'
K. have it that way, and you will let hii
In know when you want him. As major
s. ties rule especially when they al
g right. This is a case Of don't do as
ly do, but do as I say, but we old bll
a. stockings don't believe in that kind
IN doctrine. We believe in one God, OI
in hope, one faith, one baptism. withol
dictation from elders or trustees or de-
lg cons or pastor, only on the grounds
s. equity and justice as laid down by u
r government of our church in our col
stitution. "Possessioniis nine-tenths
the law" d. LEMON.
Wilmington, Del, Oct. 16, 1897.