Evening journal., 1903-11-09
ELWO0D BEFORE
THE PRESBYT[RY
Minister Who Preached the
Lynching Sermon Being
Tried
THREE REPORTS MADE IN CASE
Press Not Excluded From Meeting, Al
though Effort Was Made to Keep
Newspaper Men Out-Elwood Testi-
fies in Own Behalf.

When the Presbytery of New Castle
met here this morning to hear the re-
port of the committee appointed at
the instigation of the Baltimore Synod
TO investigate the sermon of the Rev.
Robert A. Elwood Of Olivet Presbyte-
rian Church of Wilmington, who
preached the famous lynching sermon,
three reports We're presented.
They were read by George w. Blake
of Elkton, who with the Rev. j.. w.
Reigart of Salisbury, ad the Rev. S.
". Perry, composed the committee.
The Rev. III. f. Stahl, the moderator,
presided, and the Rev. j. r. Milligan
was the stated clerk. Before the busi-
ness for which the meeting was called
was taken up, there was a long discus
sion over excluding the members OF the
press. When the delegates arrived at
Forrest Presbyterian Church they
found a sentry posted at the door who
asked each one if he was a newspaper
man. Despite this precaution on the
part Of DR.. Moore. the pastor of the
church. the reporters gained admit
tancc 90 the building
After the meeting had been opened
I with prayer by the moderator the Rev.
+ DR.. McElmoyle of Elkton moved that
the session be held behind closed doors.
This was seconded by the Rev. S. b.
+ Wylie of New Castle.
Tho Press Admitted.
There was a debate ON this question.
Dr. McCurdy and the Rev. James Bruce
Turner backing the forces of those in
Favor of excluding the press. Mr.. FL
wood, the Rev. NJ. Henderson and DR..
1kallandigham spoke in favor of all
Moving the press TO be present A vote
|was taken and the motion lost by
Note of Is to -.
Reading Of Reports.
After this question had been settled
#Nir. Blake began TO read the reports.
Before doing this. however, he said he
wished to make a statement He said
hat Mr. Perry and myself agree on
Dne port with the exception OF one
t Snmendation. DIT. Reigart had pre-
barred e separate report.
1Ffe then started 60 read the report.
Nc Committees 7epors.
@2ie said that he had notified Mr.. FL
food to be present at a conference Of
he committee ia the Clayton House.
ut that Mr.. Elwood could not be pres
nt. in going back TO his report he
aid that the committee found that a
orrible assault and murder had been
ommitted. Second that o spread Of
he knowledge of the crime had led the
ublic to a sense Of outraged feeling,
nd that il was a step to lawiessness.
bird, that the judges refusal of an
arly trial was unsatisfactory and that
be Rev. Robert A. Elwood preached q
armon on the subject. should the
Iurderer Of Miss Bishop be Lynched ?'
Did Not Want Sermon Read.
He asked If the Presbytery wished
hear the sermon read. and they
routed NO"
The committee also found that the
rmon justified lynching under GER
an circumstances and conditions con-
airy TO the law of God and the con-
ssion Of faith. They also found that
trial for Mr.. Elwood would be mex
sdient. That he erred in preaching a
rmon.
Further that Mr.. Elwood says he did
It believe in lynch law ana did not mean
at his sermon should lead anyone TO
Ike the law into their own hands.
Committee Disasrees.
Mr.. Perry recommended that Mr.. Elwood
r. Elwood should make an explanation
the Preshytery. In this last recommen-
tion the other members Of the commits
do not agree with Mr.. Blake.
+. Perry recommended that MIR. Elwood
ould be given a chance to express re-
y for preaching the sermon and il he
used. to be placed on trial.
Mr.. Rights Report Different.
ir. Resarts report was different from
o.aers read. He said that the tstle Of
sermon was enough TO arouse the pub
mind. That he. Elwood had taken up
arraignmen- and sought to influence
minds of men. The exhibition was
1duct unbecomlng a minister. The
ching which followed showed that the
mon bore frait. His sermon JUSTIFIED
ching under cer.ain conditions ana he