Smyrna times., 1903-07-15
MUST GIVE ANSWER FOR
HIS SENSATIONAL SERMON
REV. R. A. ELWOOD MUST EXPLAIN AT A
SPECIAL MEETING OF PRESBYTERY.
Alleged that His Remarks 10 OIlyet Church,
Wilmington, Had Much to do Toward
Exciting the Lynching of White.

LACilng tue LynCnlng OF WINS.
Although there have been rumors
for sometime that the Presbytery of
New Castle would take some action in
the case of the Rev. Robert A. Ell
wood, pastor of Olivet Presbyterian
Church, for his sermon previous to
the lynching of George White, colored,
there was considerable surprise occa-
stoned last week when notices of a
meeting for that purpose were re-
ceived.
The official notice of the meeting re-
ceived by the members of the Presby-
terry in this city was as follows:
Snow Hill, Md, July 3, 1903. Form
of Government, chapter 10, section 10,
being complied with, pro re nata
meeting of the Presbytery of New
Castle will be held at New Castle, Del,
Thursday, 10th inst, at p. m. to
transact the following items of bust
less:
Ito consider and determine what
action, if any, shall be taken concern
ing the whole matter of Rev. r. A.
Elwood's alleged relation, by pulpit
utterances or otherwise, to the recent
lynching of George White, deceased.
2-To reconsider the adoption of the
report of the committee on synodical
sustentation, appropristing aid to
churches of the Presbytery, and to
take whatever action may be thought
advisable.
3-To receive Rev. B. J. Seeley, Jr.
into the Presbytery.
Joseph B. North, Moderator,
There is every reason to expect q
lively session of the Presbytery as the
members of the body are divided, it is
said, on the matter of taking action in
7 the Elwood case. It is argued on one
side that Mr.. Elwood ought to be
given lesson for being sensational,
while on the other hand it is held that
as Olivet Church has already voted its
support to Mr.. Elwood and is salts
fed with his action the Presby has
no right to consider the matter.
Under the call the old matter of
bribery at elections cannot come up
for discussion and therefore that sub
Ject will not serve to detract attention
from the Elwood matter at this meet
ing. 1t is expected that the sermon of
Mr.. Elwood will be produced at the
meeting and considered for the pur-
pose Of ascertaining if he really did
UCTnseT 1ynchi7--5- -whlah as a matter
of fact he did not. What Mr.. Elwood
really did was to haunt some bloody
leaves in front of his congregation
and to say that in the event of certain
things, none of which were likely to
come to pass, the negro ought to be
lynched. 1t is expected that the Pres
bytery will give an official decision as
to whether the Haunting of leaves and
t the style of sermon preached by Mr..
Elwood is according to the rules of
the church. After the meeting is held
the preachers of the Presbytery will
have some guide as to how to
model their sermons.
Olivet Church. which has already
adopted resolutions supporting Mr..
Elwood, will rally to his support and
will be joined by those who think the
Presbytery has no right to take action
while the others will contend that
such sermons do no good and the
Presbytery, which is the governing
body of the church, has the right to
act. Mr.. Elwood is a hard fighter
and so are some of those who are op-
posed to him. He has been success
full in building up the church and for
this reason the members of that con-
gregation will back him and will have
something to say when the Presbytery
meets. Altogether the indications
point to more lively session than that
which was held when the Prssbytery
resused to denounce bribery at elec-
tions.