THE EPISODE AT THE PRESBYTERY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 893, 12 August 1910, Page 6

THE EPISODE AT THE PRESBYTERY.

Sr,—Yielding to the request of friends, with your kind permission I would explain the episode at Tuesday's meeting. Rov. J. Gibson Smith and others had been to Brooklyn for. tho usual triennial visitation. One question asked at this function is, "Aro thero any causes militating against the prosperity and progress of the congregation that tbo Presbytery might deal with?" In reply, tho session asked if tho Presbytery 'would instruct ministers to intimate to their congregations that it is tlie wish of the Presbytery that as far as possiblo members should connect themselves with tho nearest- church. As I recall the indignation of Rev. J. K. Elliott, 8.A., and Rev. ,T. Gibb, D.D., at this simple, sensible, request a vision of tho immortal Oliver rises before me. Not Cromwell, with the wai-t on his face, buttheothor, the little chap Twist. I see him with pinched face, bare feet, and, ragged clothing, standing on the stone floor with empty wooden bowl and wooden spoon. On the benches behind him the other hungry urchins aro halting in their attempts to lick another taste of skilly from empty bowl or spoon, to see how it will fare with Oliver in his unheard nf request. There in the presence of the pompous boadlo stands the ragged hungry waif with white upturned face, humbly asking for "More!" Rev. Elliott was indignant as Mr. Smith genially stated that the Brooklyn men had turned the tables on them. Dr. Gibb delivered a strong speech, a" littlo over-bearing in stylo. Ho singled out tho minister by name for castigntiou. Tho doctor hart listened to envenomed tittletattle, accepted it as truth, and spoke accordingly. A member of lhe Brooklyn Session rose and gave a direct denial to tho doctor's statements. Then Rev, £1-

liott boro down upon the unfortunate Oliver. He affirmed that this minister had tried to induce one of his members to join Brooklyn Church. Ho gave details. Then things, got. mixed about points of order. Rev. J. K. Elliott publicly stated the other day that "the Wellington Presbyteiy fight like devils." I never saw devils fighting, so cannot say anything about them. I think it ivas not quite fair to either party. However, he is older than I am, and so may have more experience than me. I prefer to say that they sometimes get tangled up like kittens with a skein of wool.

The man referred to had stated to me and to others he intended to join Brooklyn' Church. ' As he did not, one manager asked him "Why?" He replied, "Because Mr. Hutson never asked me." To this the manager's reply was, "Mr, Hutson has too much sense for that." When I got an opportunity to speak it was in th« midst of interruptions nnd interjections which recalled tlie Fool's answer to King Lear, "Truth's a dog that must to kennel, while Lady My Uracil may sit by the fire." I said if Mr. Elliott's report was correct there was a short Saxon word which I would not use to designate the information. Then after more interruptions and interjections 1 said, "If that was said it is a lie."

Now, in view of the motion passed re the play, practically endorsing Dr. Gibb's invective, for which I did not vote, it seems a little severe to advertise mo in the public press as an awfully profano man. If I had borrowed one of Dr. Gibb's adjectives and said, e.g., that it was a "damnable" untruth, I suppose that would have been correct. Queer isn't it? Tho genial doctor uses big words in the sanctuary in the presence of women and children, which aro condoned, if not endorsed, by a body of men, and when one of their own number uses a little scriptural word among men which exactly expresses the situation, they aro horror stricken, and he has to withdraw or quit. Truly, "How forcible aTe right words."—l am, etc., 'B. HUTSON. Brooklyn, August 11, 11)10.