Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-12
ton OF our pastor. "

DR.. Littell arose and stated that two
petitions were handed in for inspec-
ton. The first was signed by the SEES
sion and minority of the congrega-
ton, numbering less than sixty. The
second was signed by one hundred and
eighty-six members, and asked for the
retention of the pastor. All the men,
beers, who had affixed their signatures
to this paper were in good standing
and could be relied upon to do the
work connected with the church.
Mr.. Cowden arose.
Il must again arise" he said, ito
correct statements made by Mr.. Littell.
The fact of the matter is, the petition
against his remaining is signed by nine
ty-two members There, were also
thirty-four who said they would not
sign the paper, but were most decid-
edly in favor of the movement. These
include three-fourths of the working
forces of the church"
Mr.. Littell responded holly, saying
he did not know whether the ST. Glars
vile people knew it or not, but there
were certain people in the Wheeling
congregation who could make it hos,
dwfully hot, for anyone when they
wanted to- During this deliverance he
looked straight at Mr.. Cowden.
Il don't want to make a speech,
now said Mr.. Littell, sitting down.
Mr.. Parker talked on the matter TO
some length. During his remarks he
said: IF you gentlemen (meaning the
Presbytery) treat us in this way
(meaning deciding on the pastors res
ignation) you will sign the death
knell of the Wheeling congregation Z"
He continued, explaining that, while
Mr.. Hare was speaking, he referred to
an incident that had not been made
public. Continuing, he said he had
not intended mentioning it.
AT the Communion table, he con-
tinued, James Mcclure DIR. McClures
son, slapped the bread and the cup
down on the table when 1 reached for
it, because | supported that young nan
of God. Indicating Mr.. Littell.) Is
that righteousness?
Mr.. Littell then arose and made the
most bitter speech of the proceeding
"ThpU RI
four months trial, to preach in tha,
wicked city. l was engaged, and dur
ing my work there 1 have been prom
inent in the reform movement against
its vices. have had to stand all this
for seven years, being knitted in the
back on all sides. The liquor element
said that some of the ministers must
leave the city because we interiered
with them. ! know not whether it is
the same thing, but it is in the same
spirit that those who have opposed me
in the church, are working. | know
some of those hearts have been turned
against me by my truth. No man can
go into that city and preach Christ and
not turn some Of the people against
him. | repeat my position.
"The people with whom I divided
the salary giving them over $1,000,
while IL did the work, turned against
me. MIR. Alexander could have been
the co-pastor, but refused the place. Do
you know why? I'll not tell you. Mr..
Alexander evidently knew with what
kind of people he had to deal.
There is only one way of preach
ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And
when a thing is right, it is right. When
it's wrong, it's wrong. When it's right,
l say it's right, and when it's wrong |
say it's wrong.
Il don't consider the situation in
Wheeling serious. God has gone
through many church fight before.
The members back of the petition sent
in to you against the dissolution of the
pastorate are upright and honest men
who have conscientiously looked into
the matter.
rs the United Presbyterian church
a church to stand for Righteousness? If
it is, what we want is a church that
has for its strength the back bone of
righteousness. All l ask is that the
Presbytery move at once
you may take me away from Wheel
ing if you choose, but there is more
responsibility behind it than you think.
t'Now, members of the Presbytery,
are you going TO turn over the United
Presbyterian church of Wheeling to
such men as are opposed to me? If
you are, you don't get J. H. Littell in
this Presbytery. l couldget along well
enough in Wheeling if all l wanted
was to look out for myself" conclud-
ed Mr.. Littell.