Evening journal., 1921-06-01
VOTE MELMOYLE
$4,000 GIFT
This action Taken When
Elkton Minister Resigns
. Pastorship
CRUICIFIED ON CROSS
OF MALICE, HE SAYS


their confidence and also as an indi-
cation Of their love and respect Tor
their pastor OF a quarter Of cen-
tury tn, congregation of the Elkton
Presbyterian Church has decided to
make gift Of $4,000 to the Rev
John McElmoyle whose pastoral
relations with the Church was re-
Gently dissolved by a decision Of the
General Assembly. the supreme body
of the Presbyterian Church. DR..
McElmoyle has also been assured
that he may occupy the manse for
any reasonable time that he may
desire.
This action was taken at con-
gregational meeting when Or. Nc
Elmoyle presented his resignation
as pastor. In a statement which
accompanied his resignation. DR..
MsElmoyle said the judgment Of
the assembly has done him cruel
wrong. "I have been crucihed upon
a cross of malice" he said. He gave
assurance that notwithstanding the
decision he would continue Pres
byterian.
Dr. McElmoyle has not made any
public announcement as to what his
future plans will be. The action of
the congregation in voting him
$4,000 was unanimous and the min
lister has been besieged with friends
t. express sympathy to him and re-
crets over the decision of the As
sembly After presenting his resig-
nation and reading the statement
Dr. McElmoyle left the meeting and
il was then that the congregation
took the action voting him $4,000.
DR. McElmoyle's statement fol-
lows:
whilst 1 have received no Of
fetal information as to the action OF
the General Assembly OF the Pres
byterian Church in relation TO this
church. news has reached us TO in
dicate with sufficient accuracy what
that action was.
"The Assembly approved the ac-
tion of the Presbytery in dissolving
the pastoral relation between this
church and myself and declared in
valid your election Of elders under
your amended charter Justice
Stanton J. Peele. member of the
Assembly and counsel for the Synod
Of Baltimore and for the Elkton
church and its pastor, eminent law
yer and distinguished jurist that he
10, declared that the judgment OF
the Assembly was wrong.
Permit me to say that judgment
has done me cruel wrong. IL has
trampled upon my most fundamental
rights as a man and as minister.
have been crucihed upon cross OF
malice l feel that the General As
sembly has been misled, that IL hai
been poisoned by misrepresentation
am. however. a Presbyterian by
birth. by breeding and by choice. and
certain solemn ordination vows are
upon me as a minister OF the Pres
byterian Church.
Il therefore. bow to the decree OF
the supreme authority of the church,
whatever may be my sense OF it's
injustice. My comfort and compen-
sation. to some extent at least. are
found in the fact that this church
has been and now is more so than
ever. solidly back OF me and with
the community al large feels outrag-
ed by the unrighteous decision. We
accept the verdict and execute II
now, conscious Of absolute limo.
cence Of anything that might Civ,
the color Of justification for IT, ane
looking In confidence for vindicatioi
20 another court the supreme cour
Of public opinion. TO which. accordin
to the form OF government. chapter
and section VIII the decision q
Presbyteries and even General As
semblies are appealable
Il have been urged by persons /
the church and out Of L to lead
movement for the establishment
an Independent church, and / hay
been assured OF the solid and sui
stantiai backing Of this church an
this community. Brethren beloved.
have spent twenty-eight years in IN
pastorate Of this church. hav
given you the best service OF whic
am capable. You have nobly stoo
by me in these last three tryin
years I cannot tell you what dee
appreciation my heart holds 10
your stanch and afectionate devo
ton, but let me say with all sin
cerity that if your work and min
are TO abide. If you are TO realiz,
the fruits Of your labors and secure
as you will and must. the proper
recognition Of ecclesiastical connec-
ton under the direction Of the AS
scmbly. the Presbytery must call
you together within thirty days
Stand united. Insist upon your rights
An will come right"
The congregation adopted the fol-
lowing resolution unanimously:
Resolved, That the congrega-
CATION accept with profound re-
gret the decision Of the Rev. DR..
John McElmoyle TO withdraw
from its pastorate. That this
congregation convey to him its
heartfelt gratitude for his long.
latntul and honorable service
20 TINS church and this commu-
MY For the past 2S years he
mas been first in everv cood
cause and Jealous in every pooS
work eoou
That this congregation ox
press to him its unbounded a.
miration for the loyalty ana
ability with which he has served
the interests OF the church ana
fought its battle, and its deem
reverence for the truly Christ
Drrar.~ r..r....r..