Evening journal., 1897-05-06


is UNJUST, THAT THE CHURCH
ITSELF MUST HAVE VOICE.
BY vote of 11S to the congrega-
tion of Olivet Presbyterian Church last
night refused to let Rev. 7. E. Mont
gomery go from the pastorate Of the
church, although his resignation is now
before the Presbytery for final accep-
tance or rejection at a called meeting
on the third Tuesday in June.
After prayer meeting last night
congregational meeting was held, as
had been announced for some time, and
the meeting room was filed with mem
bers of the congregation. Mr.. Mont
gomery, whose duty as pastor it is to
moderate all church meetings, called
the congregation together and an
nounced that the order Of business was
to elect commissioners to represent the
congregation and show cause why or
why not his resignation should be ac-
cepted
Il hope that this question will be
settled in a way satisfactory to your
selves, satisfactory to the Presbytery
and satisfactory to the public / re-
signed my pastorate before the Presby-
terry simply to throw the question back
to you. Now what is your pleasure,
that / should remain as your pastor, or
cause the Presbytery to dissolve the
pastoral relations and relieve you?"
PRESBYTERYS LETTER READ.
The following letter from the Pres
bytery was read by a member of the
church:
REV. Theodore E. Montgomery
having asked the Presbytery of New
Castle to dissolve the pastoral relations
existing between himself and the Oil
vet Church, Wilmington, it was re-
solved that the Presbytery cite the
said congregation to appear, by their
commissioners at an adjourned meet
ing to be held in Wilmington Central
Church, June Is, 1897, at o'clock, p.
m, to show cause, if any they have.
why the Presbytery should not accept
the resignation. Attest: N. S. Miller,
stated clerk"
George Rommell-"Mr Moderator, to
bring the question fairlybefOre the house
move that the resignation be not ac-
cepted, and that our present pastor be
retained"
Mr.. Montgomery, after putting the
| question before the house for debate,
called Professor Eastman to the chair.
In accepting the position of moderator
the professor said;
There is a great deal more involved
in this matter than the mere accept
ance of the resignation of our pastor
II the Presbytery, which has forced
this resignation upon us, is allowed to
go on at this rate, when and where will
it end? 1t seems that the Presbytery,
whenever Olivet Church is mentioned,
gives the inference that Olivet
Church is rent into factions continually
fighting each other, and upon no occa-
sion has the congregation of Olivet
| Church, which certainly is the most
important factor in the matter, been
given an opportunity to speak.
"Olivet Church is not fighting. 1t is
a jealous and united congregation, and
contributes more money proportionate-
| ly than any other church in New Castle
| Presbytery.
I'VE have had a company of people
among us who have proved a disturb
ing element, but do not imagine the
dissolution of Mr.. Montgomery's pas.
toral relations will end this strife. Il
will only necessitate our taking more
drastic measures that will only be fan
more fatal to this disturbing elemeni
which we have expelled from our com.
muniOn."
/ STRONG SPEECHES OF SUPPORT
Elder James Brown-"If l had no
been q member of the Presbyterian
Church and a believer in a just and all
wise Providence | would have foreve
turned my back upon the church afte
what / have seen at the sessions of tn
/. Presbytery which l have attended.
seems to me that the unfair treatmen
we have received from the Presbyter.
is unparalleled. Whenever Mr. Mont
gomery arose to speak in explanation
of his position here he was almost i'm
mediately called TO order and oblige'
to sit down.
Brethren advancing to the plat
form as you decide whether Bro
n ther Montgomery shall remain as you
p pastor, we must remember that Gu
c commissioners will represent our con
c gregation at the called meeting of tn
: Presbytery and let us remember that tn
cause of Christ in this locality is a
stake. Any attempt TO remove ou
Brother Montgomery will but strike a
the very life-bloOd of our church an
its work in this community. We hav
: confidence in our pastor and the wor
that he has been doing. All the storie
going around about this church whic
we love are confused.
IF we show by our actions that W
will not sustain Brother Montgomery
+ what will be the effects of it? No on
can tell. But what will be the resul
if we do not let him go. Why, If Pres
bytery will let us, we will go on i'm
proving and growing as we have 70
years.
w. E. German. a contributor, an
several other good speakers, VIII
claimed that their children attende
the Sunday school, stated that 1t woul
be a great mistake and an immens
wrong to let Mr. Montgomery go. The
intended to become members of Olive
Church if Mr.. Montgomery was r.
tanned.
George Rommell stated that OIL
vet Church had gone before Presbl
| terV five times and asked for iuStic