Smyrna times., 1903-07-22
PRESBYTERY EyONERATES
PASTOR ROBERT ELWOOD
ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNAL DECLARESITS
SATISFACTION" AFTER HE EXPLAINED.
Delaware Clergyman Who Delivered the
'LynchiOg Sermon" Gets off Without
Even Rebuke From the Presbytery.

Delaware Clergyman Who Delivered III
"LynchiGg Sermon" Gets off Without
Even a Rebuke From the Presbytery.
Rev. Robert A. Elwood, of WHINING
ton, who preached soon after the
assault and murder of Helen S. Bisb
op by George White,a negro, in which
he said White should be Iynched if the
Judges delayed his trial until Septem
Der and he then escaped capital pun.
lshment, declared before the Presbv.
terry Thursday afternoon that he was
opposed to lynch law, and the Presbv-
terry adopted resolutions expressing its
satisfaction with his statement The
incident, so far as any further action
by the authorities of the Presbyterian
Church is concerned, may be consid-
cred as closed.
Less than two-thirds of the Presbv-
ters attended the special meeting. Mr.
Elwood came from Wilmington. ac-
companled by two elders and three
trustees of Olivet Church, of which he
is pastor. Rev. DR.. J. B. North. of
Snow Hill Manor, Nd, Moderator of
the Presbytery, presided, and in his
opening prayer asked the Lord that
the Presbyters might not be swayed bv
their own prejudices in anything thew
might do. The roll had no sooner
been called by Rev. DR.. j. Milligan
OF ST. Georges, Del, than Rev. David
Il. Shaw, of West Nottinghom, made
motion to go into executive session
Mr.. ElwNOd Wanted Publicity
Mr.. Elwood was on his feet in an in
slant. 81 trust this will not be done
simply because of the facts that are to
come before I s." he said. "For nv
part and in the interest of my church.
and for the sake of the Presbyterian
Church, hope we will allow the pub-
lc press to be present. While I an.
preclate the desire for secrecy, L think
this should not be a secret session"
The motion prevailed, nevertheless
by vote of II to 8.
Mr.. ElwOod quietly left his seat. and
walking to the rear of the church.
where the newspaper men were seated.
asked the Public Ledger's correspon-
cent Tor some note paper 1t was evil
uentIy his purpose to take notes.
Later, Presbyter informed press
representatives that the paper had
been taken from Mr.. Elwood. This
however, proved to be incorrect. for
when Mr.. Elwood emerged from the
church he had the paper, and there
were numerous notes upon it.
Are you still alIve?" asked one of the
newspaper men.
"Yes," replied Mr.. Elwood; 81 used
TO play on football team
'You don't come to church to re.
port our sermons" said Rev. It.
chalmers Potter, laughingly, to the
newspaper men. That's why you are
now."
After the press men and all otbars
lot members of the Presbytery, in
'ludlng the three trustees from Mr..
dr. Elwood's church, had retired bv
request, and the big front door had
'een locked, the first item of business
or which the special meeting had been
allied was taken up.
This was: 'fTo consider and deter- !
nlne what action, if any, shall be
AIKEN concerning the whole matter of ]
'eV. X. E. Elwood's alleged relation. l
y pulpit utterances or otherwise. to
be recent lynching of George White. q
eceased. {
only four or five speakers took part 4
the brief discussion which followed
lr. ElwoOd's sermon was not specifc-
lily referred to in any of the remarks.
nd no one directly charged him with Il
aving preached In advocacy of lynch. A
lg. There was a general desire. how b
yer, that Mr.. Elwood should explain c
the Presbytery his attitude on the Il
lestion of lynching. L
we wanted to know where the man W
ands doctrinally," said one of the L
resbyters, after the meeting had ad- 81
urneG. "We treated it as a doctrin- =
matter, because the Presbyterian ]
lurch stands for law and order. to 1
lich lynching is opposed, and in it's
'neral Assembly has voiced its oppo- NJ
ion to lynching."
All eyes were turned upon Mr. FL OF
'od as he arose to speak. ul
Says tie Is Opposed TO Lynch Law. su
Il am opposed to lynch law (the ex. tb
ltlon OF real or supposed criminal ca
thout due process of law under any CO
cumstances, and believe that all =
IN, whether innOcan+ - I'll -