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
peclal hi M Eyenlne Ionrnal

Two hours members Of the presbytery
OF New Castle were In another wrangle
this morning during the session being
held over The McElmoyle case. The
result OF the discussion was the post
pOnement OF any action whatever on
the question until the session Of the
Baltimore synod, which meets In Bal
timOre In about two weeks.
The Presbytery also called of a con
gregaiional meeting that had been ar
ranged TO be held at the Elkton Pres
byterian Church Thursday night OF This
week 20 elect elders, until some time
following the Baltimore synod meeting
A special commission. OF which the
Rev. T. Franklin Smiley, OF Whining
ton, Is chairman, had investigated the
case. This commission recommended
that the meeting be held Thursday
night. but The Session refused TO abide
by this decision. The Rev. Charles l..
Candee. OF Wilmington, resigned as
chairman OF the committee named 20
defend the Presbytery before the Balt-
more synod In the McElmoyIe case. and
DR.. Smiley was appointed 10 succeed
him.
This case has attracted wide atten-
tion for the past several months. Dr.
John McElmoyle is pastor of The Elk
ton Presbyterian Church For several
years Elkton has been known as a
"Gretna Green" and Mr.. McElmOylo
has married many OF thc couples from
other cities who went TO Elkt0n 10 get
married because the laws Of Maryland
made Il easy for them TO get a license
there.
Some members Os the Elklon church
insisted on Or. MoElmoyde resigning
and tho matter found is way to the
pres5yiery. This body appointed O
committee 10 investigate the matter
The committee In us report submit
ted al the Middeiown meeting early
This year. suggested that 70 would be
advisable for the pastor 20 resign. The
presbytery adopted this report. Dr.
McElmoyde refused 70 resign and ap-
pesled the case 20 the Synod.
After this action was taken certain
members OF the ElktOn church petit
toned the Presbytery TO call n congre-
gationsl meeting for the election Of
elders. The Smiley Commission was
then appointed by the Presbytery. After
an investigation the commission reach
ed the decision that the congregational
meeting should be called a. requested.
The Prcsbytery was so Informed by the
commission IN its report today.
This report shows that ihe commit
tee before today had sent notices 10 tho
pastor and clerk Of the session OF the
Elkton church directing that the meet
ing be held. Notwithstanding this ac-
tion Of The committee the presbytery
by ITS action today refuses 10 allow the
ElktOn church congregational meeting.
The Rev. Charles II. Bonner. Modera-
tor. presided at the session here this
morning. Mr.. Candee conducted the
devotional exercises az the opening OF
the session, o.30 o'clock.
The very first move this morning
started a heated discussion. The Rev.
Fl0ris FerweTd3 OF Dover desired a
star chamber uessiOn and moved that
the Pcosbytery go into executive ses-
sion. barring al. representatives, OF the
press from the meeting. Both factions,
however. seemed opposed 10 this and
The motion was voted down.
f Or. Smiley then presented the report
OF his committee. This started a dis
cussion which lasted moro than two
hours. The discussion was largely on
that part Of the report relative 10 the
congregational meeting at Elkton. AZ
times three and four members Of the
session would be on their feet trying
10 talk. The meeting was almost in
pandemonium.
Tho case has brought out two fac
tions, McElmoyle and snti-AIcElmoyle.y Y
Some OF the speakers were bitter in
their remarks and personalities were
dealt in. DR.. McElmoyle personally ap-
pea1ed 10 the Moderator 70 put stop
10 The personalities. Mr.. Bohner urged
the members to refrain from any per-
sonalitles.
The postponement OF any action until
after the meeting Of the Synod does not
bring any surprise, as n has been
known that sOmo Of the influential
members Of the Presbvtery have been I
Of The opinion that q would be unwise /.
10 take any action before that time. be- |
cause OF a possibility OF the Synod re-
voking any action the Presbyiery might
take.
The report submitted by the comms-
sion follows:
To the Presbylery OF New Castle:
Brethren: Your executive committee, |
appointed 10 consider and take action /
upon the petition OF certain members
Of the Elkton church, requesting that
call a congregational meet |
Ing OF said church. for the purpose OF
electing elders. begs leave 10 report as /
follows: In the beginning OF rs work |
Ihe commission was greatly hlndered by
IN its personnel. The FIRST
elder commissioner appointed resigned.
The second elder commissioner ap-
pointed I'm his place did likewise, with
Dut attending a meeting OF the COM
mission. Finally. after considerable de-
ay, Elder William Stuart. OF Whining
on. accepted the appointment OF this
position and served throughout the
.erm
The work OF the commission was
again delayed. first by the absence OF
he clerk az a commissioner from the
20 the General Assembly. /
and again by the sad bereavement
which came 20 the moderator in the
death OF his wife
Notwithstanding these interruptions
your commission has lsbored prayer
FULLY and carefully 10 conscientiously |
perform the arduous task imposed by |
upon t.
The testimony taken before the com
mittee OF investigation into the condi-
lion OF the ElktOn Church was care
fully reviewed. Fourteen meetings OF |
the commission were held. one OF /
Ihese being an all day session at tho l
f-fII.,- lsttrrah az xxhfch all fine uptf- i
TONERS we-e given an opportunity 10 |
be heard. as were also the elders OF /
ne church and those associated with