The Washington times., 1920-10-26
PARSONFACES
H|SACCUSERS
Baltimore Synod viii Determine
Whether the Rev. Or. Nc
EImoyIe Erred.

BALTIMORE, Oct. 26.-Whether
the pastoral relation existing between
the Rev. DIR. John McElmoyle and
Elkton Presbyterian Church, OF Elk
ton, Md, shall be dissolved, probably
will be decided at the meeting Of the
Synod of Baltimore. The Synod
opened its sixty-fifth annual session
yesterday at Abbott Memorial Pres
byterian Church. meeting in this city
for the first time in twelve year,.
AT ODDS TWO YEARS.
DIR. McElmoyIe has been at odds
with the Presbytery OF New Castle
for two years and frequently has
been accused of paying chauffeurs
and hsckmen TO bring couples to him
for marriage 80 that he might realize
more money. Accusations also were
made that he had neglected to ad-
minister the sacrament OF the Lords
Supper TO his congregation.
The case was brought before the
synod last night, when the judicial
committee brought in a report find.
ing that the papers In the case were
in order. this action being necessary
10 OTIuB TIC W tfc a'N'hh'o" "
the synod. A motion was made by
the Rev. DR.. Thomas S. Armentrout.
OF Wilmington. Del, that the case
be tried publicly on the floor of the
synod This was defeated. however.
for IL was realized that such action
would take practically full day OF
the three-day session.
The case then was referred TO
judicial commission. according 10 the
custom OF the synod. This body will
try the case this morning and report
to the synod. where the question Will
be threshed out publicly.
STAY OF PROCEEDING.
Last November the PresbyDry OF
New Castle. sitting as an ecclesiasti-
cal court, decided by a vote Of fifteen
to ten to dissolve the pastoral rela-
ton existing between DR.. McElmoyle
and the Elkton Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. DR.. Charles II. Bonner.
moderator. was authorized 90 appoint
committee to take over the work
of the charge. Appointment of this
committee. however. was not made
and DR.. Joel S. Giifillan, OF Whining
ton. Del. on behalf of those voting
in the minority, served notice OF
complaint. This acted as a stay in
the proceedings until the present
meeting Of the synod of Baltimore.
No charges were preferred against
Nc Elmoyie at that time. but accusa-
tions of performing the marriage
ceremony indiscriminateiy., and neg
!s<t to administer the sacrament OF
the Lords supper TO the congregation
previously had been considered The
trouble in the Eikton church has been
going on for two years and has been
a 81 gtl Ia
several times. II also was taken up
bv the SYNOD OF Baltimore at it's an
nal meeting in Washington last year
hut was referred by that BODY back
IN the Presbytery.
~.c-s usro,
DR.. McElmoyle Is packed strongly
by the majority OF his congregation
and a vote of ninety-eight to fifteen.
taken last year.-wa against asking
the presbytery to take any action in
the case. The fact that his congrega-
ton mas iaith IN nun is Ihoica'eo %
as t,ico WITHIN Tho last vaar
He is attending the session of the
synod here and was present last
night when the judicial committee
made it's report.
The Rev. DR.. Lemuel s. Reichard.
pastor OF Hamilton Presbyterian
Church, was unanimously elected mod
orator of the synod shortly after that
body opened it's session yesterday.
He was presiding when the NOEL
moyle case was brought up and APP
pointed the judicial commission to
try it.
Large delegations OF ministers and
laymen from the Baltimore. Washing
tor and New Castle presbyteries, COM
prising Maryland, Delaware and the
District OF Columbia and part OF
Pennsylvania. were present. The
Rev. DIR. John p. Campbell, pastor
emeritus of Faith Church. of this city.
offered prayer. The opening sermon
was preached by the Rev. Dr. Thomas
c. Clark, of Washington, vice-moder-
ator of the synod. 1t was a chal-
lenge to the men OF the church to
helm takc the world out of its chaot ic