Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-19
NEW u ,. CONGREGATION.
PRELIMINARY STEPS TOWARD ITS
ORGANIZATION HAVE
BEEN TAKEN.
MR.. LIfTELL WILL BE PASTOR,
The First U. p. Congregation Will
Proceed Slowly In the Selection
of Pastor, But the Pulpit VIII
be Filled-ResignatiOns of Officers
of the Congregation Accepted.

The dissensions in the congregation of
the United Presbyterian church have led
to the result which has for some time
been regarded as inevitable-the organiza-
ton of a second congregation. fractional
lines have been so closely defined that
there has been lamentable lack of har-
mony, and those who have steadfastly
sustained the Rev Mr. Littell-most of
them at Ieast-feel that they cannot con-
sistently remain in the old congregation.
This sentiment has led to the taking of
preliminary steps toward the organization
of the Second United Presbyterian church.
The troubles in the congregation of the
United Presbyterian church are fa-
miliar to the public. They are the out
growth of the selection of the Rev. j. H.
Littell as co-pastor and they were brought
forward prominently after the death of
the venerable Rev. ]. T. Mcclure. The eld-
ers took the position that the death of the
pastor left a vacancy, and requested Mr.
Littell to resign in order that a. new pas
tor might be chosen. Mr.. Littell declined,
taking the position that he was the pas
tor, and that when he became connected
with the congregation as co-paster, his
relation to the congregation was the same
IS that of the Rev. DR.. Mcclure. Upon
this point there was difference of opin-
ion not only in the congregation, but in
the Presbytery as well.
The climax was reached when the Pres
bytery, at the recent meeting in st. Glars
vile, decided to ask for the resignation of
Mr.. Littell. 1t will be remembered that
he preached his farewell sermon last Sun
day morning.
1t is generally understood that the Lit
tell faction in the congregation is numer-
ically the stronger, but whether all who
have sustained Mr.. Littell will join the
Second church remains to be seem Last
night a meeting was held at which the
preliminary steps were taken toward the
organization of a new congregation A
committee of five was appointed to pre-
pare a petition for presentation to the
Presbytery, asking for the organization of
the new church. The Committee on Sup
plies has secured the services of the Rev.
Mr.. Iittell for next Sunday morning and
evening, and Sabbath school will be held
at two O'Clock In the afternoon. The place
of meeting will be announced in the pa
pers Saturday morning.
1t is the intention to secure the author
ity of the Presbytery at once Elders and
other officers will then be elected, INSTALL
ed and ordained. All persons who desire
to join will then be received into the COM
munion of the church, and pastor will
be chosen and installed.
The officers and members of the First
U. P. church will probably not choose a
pastor for some time, as the sentiment
appears to be favorable to moving DELHI
erately in the matter, with view to the
selection of a minister whose eloquence,
earnestness and sincerity will attract and
harmonic the conflicting elements in the
congregation. The pulpit will be occupied
by ministers supplied by the Presbytery,
and by young ministers who will preach
trial sermons.
At meeting of the Board of Trustees
of the First Z. P church Monday night,
Elders A. M. Stevenson and w. j. w.
Cowden, and Trustees F. T. Hare, John
Beckett and ]. l.. Sawtelle rendered their
designations, which were accepted.