Evening journal., 1904-02-02
Secret Session Regarded
As a Victory for OPpo-
ueuts of the Young
Preacher
Open Trial VaIiantly
Fought for by Accused
and His Friends-At-
tendance Small
IN e,orrrgnondent Evening Journal.

stsn Correspondent Evening Journal
New Castle, Feb. 1.-THE Presbytery
of New Castle by a two-thirds vote this
Afternoon decided TO try in secret ses-
sion the Rev. Robert A. Elwood for
preaching his famous lynching SER
mon.
dr. Elvood and his friends worked
hard for an open session. They were
Beaten by two votes.
The Rev II. a. McCurdy and the
|Rev. S. Beattie Wylie led those who
Wanted session behind closed doors.
4 This action was taken in executive ses-
sion Mr.. Elwood tried to have the
4 IPresbytery instruct the clerk to fur
. .nish notes of the proceedings to the
press, but the body refused.
This action on the part of the Pres
IDytery is regarded as a victory for
those who have been prosecuting the
4Soung clergyman. The session Will
4 last all the afternoon and probably
{ he evening.
Some Humorous Incidents.
Several humorous incidents We're con-
& &hected with the session this morning.
s. One man who did not wish to be eX-
oelled from the church voiced his OBJ
lection to Mayor Boyd who was sit
ting beside him. He said: Il have a
E notion not to get out. They only have
mayor and two policemen in the
y own" He did not know he was talk
81 ng to the mayor.
Another man who was put out OF
he church turned to one of
he elders and said: This is the first
ime 1 have been TO church for three
% years. and just think. 1 am put out. %
The Excluded Sang.
A big delegation of those excluded
held a song service in the chapel. The
Rev Samuel w. Speckel of Pleasant
-ille. y. j., led the service He is q
corresponding member of the Presby-
cry and expected to be allowed to re-
main in the executive session.
Late in convening.
The Preshytery was late i'm converting
he Rev. T. A. McCurdy. VINO is one o
nc leaders Of the prosecution, did not ar
i've unril late. His arrival was an,liousl.
iwaiiod. When he came in the member
Oivct Church present broke into
Iroad smile. The much heraided 200 wit
csscs did not materiaize. There was no
big delegation from Olivet. Thos
resent from that body follow: william
T. Oliver. D. IT, Stephy William White
nan. Francis y. Forrest, Lewis T. Welsh
William j. Mcknight. Robert Mcgee
'hey represented the elders and trustees
Three colored Mer -..-.--o
There were three colored men p.esent
he Rev. e. /. jefferson. Of Gilbert Pres
yterian Church, Wilmington and tw
lders.
Prayed For 5rotherly Spirit.
The session was opened with prayer b
ioderator j. 3. Month. of Snow Hill. Nd
Ie asked for Divine aid to consider tn
natter ito come before the body. May tn
piri. Of brotherly love guide MS and caus
10 act for the welfare Of the church.
ep rayed. The Rev. j. r. Miligan, ,
t. Georges. then began tho calling OF th
oil. There was small response.
Tho Rev. s. B. Wylie, Of New Cast
'hurch moved THAI the Presbytery G
nto an interiocutory session.
Opposed Closed Session.
After il had been seconded Former A.
orney y-General Robert c. White arose an
bjected to it. lie said in part.
II hope l will find a Christ like human
y. ask you to deal with this brother Z
ou would have him 10 deal with you. tt
i'm by the divine law, not civil law. IN
IAN who does not live up to that la
annot lay claim to being a christian
We demand and ask for an open sesslC
nd public hearing. The press of the Sta
as heralded the case all over the coui
ry. Every charge just and unjust h,
con published. Not only that but a
harges and the specifications have be,
ublIshed. Everything that could be sa
as been said TO the public against NJ
,lwood. Would 1t be fair and just
cep Mr.. Elwood from presenting his j
ensc to the public. On these grounds y
emand public hearing. There is no fe
urc that would offend the most delicat