Evening journal., 1922-11-21
SAY RESPECT
IS LOST FOR
PRESBYTERY


rwas recalled as pastor with Joshua
IR. Witworth, presiding. His salary
was fixed at $4,000 year.
What the result OF this latest move
gwill be is causing much speculation
yin Presbyterian circles. The fight
during the last four years has at
Ftracted nationwide attention 10 the
rchurch. Twice the case has been
taken to the General Assembly the
!Supreme Body OF The Church and
,has been before the synod of Balti-
more and the Presbytery on numer-
sons occasions in various forms.
Tho Rev. Thomas S. Armentrout,
pastor of the Lower Brandywine
sChurch. near Wilmington. is the
present Moderator OF the Presby-
}sery of New Castle and the Rev.
]. NJ. L. Eckert. of Smyrna, is clerk
of the Presbytery. Mr.. Eckert is
reported 10 have stated yesterday on
hearing OF the latest move by the
congregation OF the Elkton Church
that the Presbytery would hardly
flake any action in the matter be-
fore the spring meeting.
Although about two years ago DR..
McElmoyle was ousted as pastor of
the Elkton Church by the Presbytery
the great majority Of the congrega-
ton have loyalty stood back OF him
IN all the fights. Efforts TO have
the Church transferred 10 the Pres
bytery Of Baltimore have failed al
though DR.. McElmoyle now belongs
to that Presbytery. At the last meet
ing Of the Presbytery Of New Castle
a petition Of the Elkton Church was
practically ignored It being laid on
the table without even being read.
The Presbytery also sent letter
TO the Presbytery Of Baltimore call
ing attention 70 DR.. McElmloyle's con-
tinued- occupancy Of the pulpit OF
the Elkton Church by request Of the
congregation despite objections by
the Presbytery Of New Castle under
whose Jurisdiction the Church is.
DR.. McElmoyle served as pastor OF
the Elkton Church for rs years be-
fore ousted by the Presbytery. There
IS said 10 be a growing sentiment
that in view Of the expressed desire
OF the congregation in the matter,
that the Presbytery OF New Castle
do nothing 10 thwart the wishes Of
the congregation in selecting their
own pastor.
The resolutions adopted by the
congregation on Sunday recalling DR..
reviewing the case and
the previous elders and
the Presbytery follows
THAT the Elkton Presbyterian
Church has been in a disturbed con-
ditlon since March, 1918, when its
peace and harmony were broken by
q summary demand for the resigna-
ton of the pastor by three Of the
then elders and certain members of
the board of trustees, which illegal
action was condemned and the pas
tor sustained by the congregation by
the decisive vote OF 90 20 IS.
That these three elders. being the
only elders OF the church, Mr.. c. B.
Finley. sr., having died, refused 20
submit to the voice OF the church. l
their duties, refused to call I
a meeting 70 elect other or adddi- /
tional elders. and kept up their I'M
warfare upon the pastor.
That this condition. for which /
these three former elders must be
held primarily responsible, was |
greatly aggravated and intensified |
by the attitude and conduct OF the .
Presbytery Of New Castle towards .
his church and its pastor. by per-
sistently ignoring the reasonable re-
quests of this church. denying It its
rights. setting at
7aught the wishes OF the over
majority IN the interests
" those unacceptable elders, and
to force upon this church
elders who were wholly unaccept-
lble to It; its long continued hostile
attitude and conduct working great
injury to the church and the cause
If religion.
THAT this congregation Is regret
'ully forced 20 believe that the said
Presbytery IS still dislnclined TO
giant its constitutional rights, as
witness its dlscorteous treatment. at
It's October meeting, OF the petition
81 this church in the matter Of its
transfer. refusing 10 read It or &C
,ord our representatives a hearing
IN the matter, and following that up
With bitter opposition in the Synod.
although that petition was Of suffici-
mt merit TO be approved by the
Permanent Judicial Commission and
10 be twice favorably recommended
~ the committee on Pollty OF the
General Assembly-the supreme
Court OF the Presbyterian Church
in judicial cases Nos. 3 and 4, by
Is recent letter to the Presbytery OF
Baltimore. in the matter OF the sup
ply Of our pulpit at our request by
Dr.. McElmoyle, under which deci-
ions we have the right 20 call and
le has the legal right 10 accept our ,
all as supply or pastor; the General
assembly at its last meeting having
declared this congregation free 20
Ldopt the Rotary System, to choose
elders and take all other steps with :
BRAIN TESTS.