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

whether the minutes had been corrected
az ordered by Presbytery. DR.. Me.
Curdy replied that there was no record
OF any suggestion by rresbytery as to
making changes.
DR.. Moore tuok the viaw that tho OK.
ceptiuns had the force OF an order; that
persons who had been suspended in
violation Of the book should be declared
full memberH in consequence of in
structions by tho Presbytery.
Mr.. Canby declared IL to be vital
question. for the minutes appeared not
to have been corrected, and II was tho
full understanding of the Presbytery
that the suspended porsons wore 10 be
reinstRted.
DIR. McCurdy proceeded upon dis
cusaion OF tho proper proceeding where
an individual has been deprived Of his
supposed rights, when Mr.. Wylie
brought up the fact that the presbytery
had decidBd 10 discuss the Qlivet
trouble behind closed doors The
moderator thought that the question OF
the force OF the exceptions had better
go over for more favorable oppor-
tunity.
The moderator then reminded the
congregation Of the Presbytsry's de-
cisun to enter upon and consider the
Olivet matter with closed doors, and
asked all not officially connected TO
retire. The congregation complied
with the request OF the moderator, and
in few minutes the Presbytery and
the commissioners OF Olivet Church
had the room to themselves.
Many interested in the Oliyet Church
natter who had attended to heHr the
discussion upon IT, expressed them
selves as displeased with the action Of
the Presbytery in excluding them. For
q time they fingered in the hallway.
but did not wait until the close of tho
session, which was about 8 O'Clock in
the evening.
Although the reporters were excluded
with the rest, special eHort was made
to have preHhytery admit them to
the proceedings, but tho Presiiytery de-
cided that they might got the reports
from the stated CLERK after the meeting.
For thrao and half hours the Fres.
bytery sat behind closed doors. and
nearly all of that time was devoted to
tho Oliyet trouble. After tho report OF
the committee on the minutes mad been
adopted with an amendent, asking
Olivet session to complete their own
Interpretation OF the exceptions IN
question. the resignation of the Rev.
Mr.. Montgomery, which he presented
at the last meeting of Presbytery. was
taken up for consideration. The church
was represented by it's comm issionsrs,
Prof. Charles II. Eastman. Steward
johnson, James Brown, William Ii.
Oliver, James G. Smith, William Cor
man and Benjamin Hopkins, who pre-.
ssnted their reasons why the pastoral
| relations SHOULD not be dissolved.
| Mr.. Montgomery then presented a
paper Withdrawing bis resignation. but
after discussion this privilege was
denied him by vote OF IL to TO-
A motion was then made to accept
mis- resignation. At this point there
was feeling in favor OF allowing a
further extension of time in the matter,
| and finally Mr.. Fitzsimon moved as an
amendment that action on tho resigra-
tion be postponed until the fall meet
ing Of tho Presbytery. The amendment
was adnpte1 by a vote OF Is to O. The
amended motion was also adopted. The
fall meeting will be held at Milford.
The Preshytsry decided TO p stpone
action on the Resignation of MIR. Mont.
gouery in the interest of the welfare OF
the church and his future. While a
vote sufficient to carry his resignation
might have been secured, yet his with
drawal under such circumstances might
have caused such an objection upon
the part OF his friends In Olivet as to
seriously hamper the work of that
church. The feeling la strong among
members OF presbytery that separa'
tion must come and that IL is simply a
matter Of time when it will take place.
But rather tnan antagJnize the mem.
bers Of the congregation who support
Mr.. Montgomery they prefer to allow
him the opportunity to retire. This
stop they think would be better for hin
than summary action by presbytery.
In case OF dissolution of the pastora
relations it is hoped that those now ou
of the church will be joined with those
in the church, so that the congregation
may be once moro united.
The status OF the persons who were
suspended from the church two and {
half years ago is still Indefinite. The,
have asked the Presbytery to say how
they stand and Presbytery has givei
no satisfactory answer. Presbytery die
say that they were Illegally suspended
hut they have not been reinBtated
| al a.f fnH /