Middletown transcript., 1903-11-14

brief and in substance held that in viey
of the fact that the sermon OF Mr.. El
wood had been generally regarded as fav
oring lynching under certain conditions
tie committee held that he was worth,
of censure.
On reading the statement the an
nouncement was made that Elder Theo
dore Clark, whose home is in Delawar'
City, had refused to sign it, and in giving
his reason for his failure he said:
'I believe that the welfare of oul
homes and the safety of our wives ant
daughters depends on our settling thi'
matter just as quietly as possible. Many
ignorant persons actually believe thai
this body in a way is approving of crime. y
Elder Clark wanted the Presbytery to
understand that he was opposed to lynch
ing and believed the majesty of the law
should be upheld.
A discussion here arose relative to
whether it would be possible for the
Presbytery to pass such resolution.
DIR. Gilfllan explained that the com.
mittee had been forced to draw up a res
olution and said it was because Mr.. e.
wood, instead of expressing regret that
his sermon had been misunderstood, had
larped at technicalities in the previous
reports.
Fault was found with Mr.. Elwood be-
cause he had made statement in the
Synod to the effect that he had been vim
dicated by the New Castle Presbytery,
and Mr.. Elwood taitly replied that he
did this because DIR. McCurdy had al
legged that he had retracted his sermon.
"Why, l can't be humble and sorry"
he said, 'aDd if should change one iota
OF my expressions I would be unworthy
to stand in the Presbytery."
DIR. Turner said it was impossible for
Mr.. Elwood to see that he had made a
mistake in melting the mind to riot, and
for the first time during the day Mr.. El-
wood came near losing his composure.
Springing to his feet, he asked DIR. Tur-
ner to prove that his sermon had incited
the mind.
This resulted in an address by ex-At-
torney-General Robert G. White, who
asked how it would be possible to censure
Mr. Elwood for something that had not
been proven.
''The preamble assumes that his SER
mon caused the lynching. continued Mr..
White, "but if Mr.. Elwood had never
been born, the mob would have done its
work just ascompletely and expeditiously.
Why there are persons in Sussex county
who were just as much infamed at the
awful crime as anyone in New Castle
county and they never heard of Mr.. e.
wood"
There was considerable applause when
Mr.. White ceased, especially on the part
of the women in the room and Mr.. Blake
offering an amendment to the resolution
which would strike out the part suggest
ing censure and adding that the Presby-
terry condemn the sermon and reaffirm
its opposition to lynching
Dr. McCurdy didn't think this would
do at all and reviewed the situation at
length. lie thought Mr.. Elwood should
have acted in a more humble manner,
but emphatically denied that he was his
violent opponent as it had been stated.
Mr.. Elwood, he declared, had violated
his own ordination VOWS, but he would
not or had not put straw in his way.
There was tilt between DIR. McCurdy
and Mr.. White over disposition of the
resolution. Some Of the members, DR..
McCurdy continuing, are included to
make expressions favoring the minister
worthy of censure. Mr.. White asked
him what he considered the Presbytery
from legal viewpoint and DIR. McCurdy
said it was like a grand jury.
"Well." said Mr.. White, ''tlis being
true, then if it believes him guilty it
should recommend trial. Grand juries
do not adjudge one guilty but rather rec
ommend trials"
DR.. Moore asked Mr.. Elwood: "Having
stated to the Presbytery that your inten-
ton ard motive in preaching that SER
mon was to prevent lynching and to up
hold the law, do you express regret that
misunderstood and misinterpreted by the
public?'.
Mr.. Elwood said:
s'The mass of people of this country
constitute the public and they have
never misunderstood me one whit"
Seeing that the discussion was to be
resumed along these lines, Mr.. Elwood
arose and addressing the moderator de-
manded that he be given trial.
This move took the most of the mem
bers by surprise and their faces clearly
showed it. Moderator Stahl appeared
collected. hnWeyer.. and the Presbytery
proceeded to grant the request.
Atzfirst there was talk Of Mr.. Elwood
waiving his rights for the customary ten
days in whiclrto prepare his defense in
exchange for the acceptance OF his word
by the Presbytery without witnesses, but
after considering the matter Mr.. Elwood
on the customary rights.
The report of the committee was then
withdrawn, and the Moderator proceeded |
to name prosecuting committee. The
Rev. Drs. Gilfillan and McElmoyle at
first were selected, but the latter declined |
to serve. DIR. Turner was then appointed |
in his stead. Mr.. GiltilIan at first de- |
clined as he is to give series of lectures,
but it was decided not to take immediate |
action but to wait until after the holi-
days.
Mr.. Elwood announced to the Presby-
terry that le had secured Robert G. White
as his counsel, and the place of meeting
was next discussed.
Mr.. Elwood offered the body the use of
0livet Church or the Opera House, but
DR.. McCurdy appeared to be greatly op-
posed to holding the sessions in Whining
ton.
AT the invitation OF DR.. Turner it was