Evening journal., 1904-01-19
Has Charges Against the
Rev. X. A. EIwOod.
SquabbIe Over How to
Present Them
Members Are DiVided,and
InduIeing in Much Use
less DEMONSTRATION
Later This Afternoon
Special to the Evening Journal.


Dover, Jan. 19.-The Rev. Robert A.
Elwood, pastor Of oiivet Presbyterian
Church, Delaware, Appeared before tho
Presbytery Of New Castle in session at
Dover Presbyterian Church today.
The question was whether charges could
be preferred against him for preaching
uhe famous lynching sermon on the Sun
day night in June previous to the Monday
night on which the negro George White,
was burned at the stake, near Whining
son. for the assault and. murder Of Miss
Helen Bishop.
Had Sermon Printed.
Mr.. Elwood arrived at the chapel this
morning and entered the Hresbstery's ses-
sion, taking a seat beside his counsel,
former Acknowledgement Robert c. White,
of GEORGETOWN, a member .of the rresby-
terry. He had with him pamphlet copies
OF the sermon, should dhe Murderer Of
Miss Bishop be Lynched?'
Called to Order.
The Presbytery. after being called to
order by Moderator North. was led in
prayer by the Rev. S. Beattie Wylie, who
prayed earnestly, May He show us the
things we ought TO DO and give us grace
TO do them The prayer did not contain
much comfort for Pastor Eiwood. who
appeared to be joining in the opportunities
Of the New Castle pastor.
The Rev. Joseph Brown Turner Of
Dover. and the Rev. Joel Ghhllan, OF
Newark, the committee Of prosecution sat
together near the platform and frequent-
ly conferred.
When Mr.. Gnfllan produced before the
L. a
document of seven typewrfuten pages in
which the Presbyterian Church of United
states Of America VS. the Rev. Robert A.
Elwood, of the Presbytery of New Castle,
1t was evident that the charges were
strongly drawn. covering the ground thor
oughly. They, however. took the broad
ground that even though Elwoods sermon
did not incite to riot or hasten the act OF
Bhe following day. yet that kind Of preach
ting was contrary ito the constitution OF
the Presbyterian Church. the confession
Of faith. the larger catechism and tho
constitution Of the United States.
Fully thirty minutes were consumed in
a debate among the clergy as TO the aega
procedure after hearing the commHtee's
report.
Wanted Elwood Tried.
L. A
only thing this meeting had to do wa.
60 present the accused with a copy OF IN,
charges against him and for the prepara.
tion of his defense. he should have that
copy at least ten days before called 4,
account.
Wsuted Matter Dropped.
The Rev Henderson. Of Georgetown
stirred up a frey debate by moving tha
the presbytery go no further into tho tria
OF this case as the bill of particulars di,
not substanuate the charge. The Rev
Hallett seconded the motion. The Rev. J
y. Weylie moved as substitute that tn
Presbytery now proceed to griai.
Moderator North at once declared tn
debate out Of order inasmuch as the re
port Of the prosecuting committee hal
not been accepted. This was done in
hurry by motion quickly seconded.
Mr.. Henderson renewed his motion &
proceed no further. This time his motto
was IN writing, but it became side tracke
in the debate which followed.
DR.. McCurdy moved that Elder Rober
G. White be assigned at Mr.. S1lwooss re
quest as counsel for the defense and tina
Mr.. Elwood be handed copy ol tn
charges and specifications This motto
prevailed and Mr. White came for
ward to get the specifications. but Mod
srptor North called for Mr.. Elwood him
self and ale came forward and received tn
copy.
Mr.. Turner shut of another resolution {
abandon tho trial by Mr.. Henderson b
point Of order. that the meeting could j
nothing further than present Elwood wit
thee harges. The point Of order was raise