Evening journal., 1919-10-25
M'ELMOYLE CASE
UP MKT WEEK
Will Be Disposed of By
Synod Which Meets in
Washington
LOCAL MINISTER
is MODERATOR

Baltimore synod, which includes New
Castle Presbytery. VIII convene in the
Eastern Presbyterian Church, Washin-
ton. d. c., at o'clock on Monday after
noon, in sessions TO conclude on We'd
nesday.
Disposal by the synod Of what is
known as "the McElmOyle case" will
give a special interest 10 the proceed
ings in the minds Of local Presbyterians
and Delaware and Maryland residents
generally. The synod will consider the
appeal sent to 1t by Or. John McElmoyle
from the action Of the Presbylery Of
New Castle, requesting his resignation
from the pastorate Of the Presbyterian
Church at ElktOn, Md. The Presbytery
objected to the great number Of "Gretna
Green" marriages performed by Dr.
McElmoyle. and to the long-continued
lack Of harmony In the Elkton church
because Of friction between Dr.. Neil
moyle and part OF his parlshioners. The
friction is OF many years standing. but
came TO a climax last winter. when the
Presbytery Of New Castle concluded
change Of pastors would be the best
way TO put an end to a deplorable situa-
tion.
Dr.. McElmoyle has refused TO resign.
claiming the majority OF his church
membership are on his side. and has
appealed to the synod from the action
OF the Presbytery. lt is also said that
the Elkton church may request the
synod 10 transfer that church 30 an
other Presbytery, taking Il out Of the
New Castle Presbytery jurisdiction.
Or. J. :. Gilnllan, pastor Of Ollvet
Presbyterian Church. this city. is the
present moderation Of the synod OF Bal
timore. Election Of a new moderator
being the first item Of business on the
docket, he will not preside over the
coming session. DR.. Gililllan enjoys the
unusual distinction Of being moderator
OF the synod for two years. since the
customary annual change was not made
last year, owing 10 no meeting OF the
synod OF Baltimore. The influenza cpl
demlc. raging at its height at the time,
prevented the synod session.
DR.. L. Franklin Smiley, pastor OF
West Presbyterian Church, this city,
and Elder Frank o. sheppard, Of West
Church. Will attend synod as the OH
clal delegates from New Castle Presby-
Iery.
DR.. Smiley will defend the action OF
The Presbytery when Dr. McElmoyle's
appeal comes up for consideration. A |
number OF local Presbyterians are ex-
Decled 10 attend the Synod sessions as /
unofficial spectators, owing 10 the spe- /
,ial local interest Of the proceedings. /
Among those planning TO attend are the I
Rev. Charles II. Bohner, OF Hanover
Church; j. Chandler Pyle, /
IN elder Of Hanover church; the Rev.
Josiah II. Crawford. pastor Of Central
church. and Judge VIII |
lam s. Prickeit. an elder Of Central
,hurch.
Il is also expected that Dr. McEl- |
noyle and representatives OF both fac
lions OF the Elkton Presbyterian Church |
viii be present.
A sermon by the retiring moderator, |
Dr.. J. s. Gll1llan, viii be the first event /
when the synod convenes on Monday. /
Election OF a new moderator and clerk.
md committee appointments will fol-
Ow. Reports on the religious state Of
he churches will take up most OF the
fternoon session, closing at o'clock.
n the evening there will be IA popular
Meeting In the interests Of foreign mis-
ions. The preacher will be the Rev. A.
I. Halsey, d. D., OF New York. cores
,ondlng secretary Of the Board OF For
ign Missions Of the Presbyterian
,hurch
On Tuesday there will be routine
matters and reports. The McElmoyle
ase IS likely 10 come up In these Tues
lay reports. One important matter Of
ocal interest will be the consideration
4 the taking over by Baltimore synod
( West nottingham Academy, at Col
ra, Md. For two or three years the
ynod has had I'm mind the plan OF TAX
ng over the academy and making 10
ltO a college. There Will also be a
OF the New Era movement
n Tuesday. Reports will take much
( the time on Wednesday, the con-
luding day.