Evening journal., 1919-10-07
M'ELMOYLE CASE
GOES UP TO SYNOD.
Presbytery Refuses to Call
Congregational. Meeting
For Elkton Church
SPIRITED DISCUSSION
AT BERLIN SESSION
specIal 10 The EyenIng Journal.

T.
This morning during the session being
held over the McElmoye ease. The
result OF the discussion was the post
ponement OF any action Whateyer on
The question until The session OF The
Baltimore synod. which meets In Bal
limOre In about two weeks
The Presbytery also called OF con-
gIegaiional meeting that had been ar
ranged TO be held at the Elkton Pres
byterlan Church Thursday nlell OF This
week 10 elect elders. until some time
fo,loMing The Baltimore synod meeting
\ special commission, OF which The
J Rev. l.. Franklin Smiley, OF Whining
ton. is chairman had Investigated the
ease. This commission recommended
that the meeting be held Thursday
night. but the session refused 20 abide
by his decision. The Rev. Charles L..
Candee, OF Wilmington, resigned as
chairman Of ihc committee named 10
defend the Presbylery before the Bolli-
more synod in the McElmoyle case. and
nr. Smiley was appointed 10 succeed
him.
This case has attracted wide aiicn-
ti0n for the past several months. Dr.
John McElm0yle is pastor of the Elk
ton Presbyterian Church. For several
years Elkion has been known as a
"Groina Green" and Mr.. McElmoyle
has married many of The couples from
other cities who went 90 Elkion 90 get
married because The laws OF Maryland
made 10 easy FOR them 10 get a license
there.
some members % INC Elkton church
insisted on Dr. McElmoydc rcsignlng
and The matter found its way 10 the
presbytery. This body appointed a
committee 10 investigate the matter.
The committee IN its report submit
ted al lhc Middletown meeting early
this year. suggested that 70 would be
advisable for The pastor 20 resign. The
prcsbyiery adopted this report Dr.
McElmoyde refused 10 resign and ap-
pealed the ease 90 The Synod
After this action was taken certain
members OF the Elkt0n church peli-
toned the presbytery 10 call a congre-
gaiional meeting for the election Of
elders The Smiley Commission was
then appointed by the Preshyiery. After
an investigation the commission reach
ed the decision that the congregational
meeting should be called as requested
The presbytery was SO informed by The
commission In It's report today.
This report shows that The commit
tee before today had sent notices 10 the
pastor and clerk of the session NJ The
Elkton church directing that the meet
ing be held. Notwithstanding this ac-
tion OF the committee tho presbyiery
49, HNn g.. q. a.. -
Elkton church congregational meeting
The Rev. Charles n. Bohner. Modera-
tor, presided at The session here this
morning Mr. Candee conducted On,
devotional exercises at the opening Ol
the session. 9.30 o'clock
The very first move this morning
started a heated discussion. The Rev.
Fl0ris Ferwerd8 ~ Dover desired a
star chamber session and moved That
the P-esbyiery so into executive Sos
sen, barring an representatives OF the
press from the meeting Both factions
however seemed opposed 20 this and
the motion was voted down
Dr. Smiley then presented the report
OF his committee This started a dis
cussion which lasted more than two
hours. The discussion was largely on
that part of the report relative 90 the
congregational meeting AZ Elklon AZ
times three and four members OF the
session would be on their feet trying
10 talk. The meeting was almost i'm
psndemonium.
The case has brought ont two fac
tions. McEmoyle and anii-McElmoyle.
some of the speakers were bitter I'm
their remarks and personalities were
dealt in. Dr. McElmoyle personally ap-
pesTed 10 the Moderator 10 put stop
n the personalities. Mr.. Bonner urged
the members 10 refrain from any per-
sonalitles.
The posiponement NJ any action until
after the meeting or the synod does not
bring any surprise. as 70 has been
known that some OF the influential
members ~ the Prcsbvtery have been
of the opinion that u would be unwlse
10 take any action before that lime. be-
cause OF possibility Of the Synod re-
vok.ng any action the Presbytery might
take.
The report submitted by the comms-
sion follows:
To the Presbytery OF New Castle:
Brethren: Your executive committee.
appointed 10 consider and lake action
upon the petition Of certain members
OF the Elkt0n church, requesting that
Presbytery call congregational meet
ing OF said church. FOR the purpose of
eleclng elders. begs leave 90 report as
follows: In the beginning ~ ii- work
the commission was greatly lindercd by
changes I'm lis personnel The first
elder commissioner appointed resigned.
The second elder commissioner ap-
pointed in his place did likewise. with
out attending a meeting OF the COM
Finally. after considerable de-
lay, Elder William Stuart m Whining
ton, accepted the appointment Of this
position and served throughout the
term.
The work Of the commission was
again delayed. first. by the absence 0f
the clerk an a commissioner from the
Presbytery TO The General Assembly
and again by tho sad bereavement
which came IN the moderator I'm the
death OF his wife.
Notwithstanding these interruptions
YOUR commission has labored prayer
fully and carefully 10 conscleniiously
perform The arduous task imposed by
Presbytery upon q.
The testimony taken before the COM
mll;ee OF investigation into the condl-
ton OF the Elkton Church was care
fully reviewed. Fourteen meetings of
the commission were held one Of
these being an all day session at the
Elkton Church. at which all the peti-
TONERS were given an opportunity 20
be heard as were also the elders Of
the church and those associated with