Middletown transcript., 1903-11-14
REV. BLWOOD
DEMANDS TRIAL
Session Held In Forest Pres
byterian Church This
Town
THE MINISTERS DIVIDED

The session OF the New Castle Presby
terry convened in Forest Church this
town at 1890 o'clock on Monday morn
ing, with Moderator NJ. F. Stahl presid
, ing.
After Moderator Stahl had opened the
session with prayer, the Rev. John G,
McElmoyle Of Elkton, arose and moved
that the hearing be private.
Mr.. Elwood Immediately objected to
this motion and expressed himself as be.
lieving that harm was done by the meet
ing of the Presbytery that first considered
the matter by holding private hearing.
He believed it would be to the best inter.
ests Of the Presbytery and to Christ as
well for public hearing. A vote was
then taken, which resulted in Noel
moyle's motion being lost.
This matter having been disposed Of
George W. Blake, of the committee
named to investigate the matter to see II
Mr.. Elwood should be tried, made his
report in which he spoke of the fact that
the members were divided in reference to
its recommendations. The committee,
he said, met at the Clayton House, Will
mington, Friday, November 9th, and it
was intended that Mr.. Elwood should be
present but telegram was received from
him, dated Absecon, N. j., saying he
could not be present. Nearly all Friday
was spent in going over the matter. Mr..
Perry and himself had agreed upon one
report, Mr.. Blake said, and DIR. Reigart
another, adding that there might be said
to be three reports. He then proceeded
to read them to the Presbytery.
The preamble preceding the recon-
mendations outlined the case and gave
extracts of the sermon. The statement
Of facts held that Mr.. Elwood was respon-
sible for melting riot, and Mr.. Blake in
his recommendation thought the minister
should give an expression to the Presby-
terry. Mr.. Perry differed, inasmuch as he
thought that Mr.. Elwood should be asked
to give specific statement regretting the
fact that he had preached the sermon.
In the event of his refusal, Mr.. Perry
thought he should stand trial.
In his report DR.. Regard, who was abb
sent from the meeting by reason of
broken arm, held that the title of the
sermon had aroused public opinion, the
civil authorities had been arranged and
the author had sought to influence the
minds of men. The report further held
that the act of Mr.. Elwood was one un-
becoming minister of the gospel, from
the fact that the lynching which followed
was proof that the sermon had borne
fruit. Mr.. Elwood, he contended, had
justified lynching under certain condi-
tions, and he recommended that he be
admonished by the Presbytery and be
asked to say he regretted having de-
livered such sermon.
After the reports had been formally ac-
cepted there was discussion as to which
to accept. and the Rev. J. R. Milligan
was for turning over the entire matter to
the Synod of Baltimore. The Rev. +.
III. Moore, while not in favor of this,
said it was the Synod that reopened the
case and it should have something to do
with settling it. He believed, however,
that if the matter was turned over to that
body it would return it again to the Pres
bytery.
1t was at this juncture that Mr.. FL
wood began to take his exceptions. He
held that the alleged facts as presented
in the statement had not been gotten
from him by the committee and that he
should have had chance to go before
the committee.
He charged that the Rev. T. A. Nc
Curdy and DIR. Milligan had failed to
keep promise made to him. After the
action of the Synod, he said, in reopen
ing his case both had promised him that
nothing should be done until his return
to the city
He contended that an adjourned meet
ing had been held in East Lake Church
and resolutions passed. Drs. McCurdy
and Milligan, he said, were both present,
and neither had offered a word Of pro-
test. He added that if he had been in
Wilmington he would not have received
the letter sent him by tie committee
until sometime last Friday morning. Be-
ing absent from the city it was impossible
for him to attend.
81 have never appeared before this
continued Mr.. Elwood
which presents facts and they have not
the right to make such recommendations.
The chairman OF this committee publicly
me which is against the law
Of the church. But am net complain
ing. have no complaint, and you may
act upon the report as you see fit"
DIR. Milligan said the committee was Of
The opinion that it was necessary to have
him present at the meeting, and DR.. Nc
Curdy declared that there was no pledge
that nothing should be done.
"There was an agreement and | claim
that | should have been there to object
to any prejudiced persons, persisted Mr..
Elwood. "How can the committee re-
port facts when | never appeared before
it?" Il
Mr.. Elwood wanted the Presbytery to
understand distinctly that he was not
trying to hedge or quibble. A copy of
The Morning Ne,cs containing the sermon
Of Mr.. Elwood was produced and he was
asked that if he would admit that the ex-
pressions given were made by him. He
said he would.
The discussion here narrowed down to
the power OF the committee, and Robert
D. White wanted to know if it hadn't
exceeded such when it gave recommen-
dations in addition to presenting state
ment.
Mr.. Perry said it had been the desire
OF the committee to avoid trial if pos
sible and was compelled to make recon-