The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-15
American Baptist nIisslonary Union.
SECOND DAY.

SECOND DAY.
The Board of Managers Of the American Baptist
reassembled yesterday morning. at oH O'Clock La tn,
Baptist Tabernacle, CDR Lathrops,) In Second avenue
The Hon J M.iIinnard occupied the Chair but subse
quently left it and the Rev. Dr. Bowling assumed thai
position. The proceedings were commenced by praye,
from the Rev DR.. DRAKE OF New jersey.
Rev. DR. BRIGHT hoped that oral statement Of the
dongs of the councils held the case of Messrs Abbott
and ViIton would be made. This suggestion was not
adopted
TIE Rev. Dr. GRANGER then proceeded with the reading
of tie documents prepared by the council at Moulmen
From these 1t appears that the most serious charges
were made against Mr. Abbott, wbo understand, has
since died In one of Mr. vintons letters dated April
1852, he says:-
long him. fear are mistaken Has Il
this, that will exclude the poor heather our
must tolerate il in smisonsTy, IN Isss knew that 10
our native preachers Why them in Abbott God may
Yet, continued the speaker, this same Me-. vin.on,
both before and afterwards discamed any Wedge OF
crlminality en- the part of Mr.. Abbott.
Several Other documents read to prove that Mr..
yintons conduct uncharitsble and unchrstian On
copy OF his charges against Mr.. Abbott being sho
him, he denied having made them and when toe coun-
Gil had adjourned, he disclaned his denial
Rev. MIR WATSON asked II there was not two councils
one TO act on the case of Dr. Ynton and the other
d. GRANGER ans wered that this was substantially So
At the request OF DR. Bright. the Secretary Mr.. Cut
Nr.
and his reply in which he asserts that the deputaton
lowered tbe standard OF Christian character and that
minister might get drunk seventy and seven tmes he
only repented it would be overlooked and that tue
deputation had assumed to judge Of his motives which
should only be done by God; aud that he
allowed the priv eges in his defence as a muir.
derer or thief would have, he brought before
criminal bar; ano concluded by rsmarkng that he had
been much mpeded in his ministry, which very
successful he baving within short time baptized
500 Burmans
DR.. WILLIAMS stated that this was a com licated mat
ter. There two points before the board-one
in relation to Mr. Abbott deceased and the othor
with regard to Mr. Vioton, charged With uuchsritable
and upchristian conduct The subject also embraces
the latiop Of this Board to the mission Burmah
Ex-AlSerman MURPHY said he long feared that ques-
tons OF this character would come up and the Baptist
eenomination would become what other church 1rga-
nizatops were-a strong e;clesastic power This the
Board should beware of.
DR. WEBB Moved that the difficulty be referred to
competent committee they report for final action
Rev. Mr.. GRASGRR hoped that this action would not be
taken as whatever COMMITTEES was appointed the SIS
pcion would attach to them OF being influenced by i'm
proper motives
pr: wmcH wished to hear all the facts in the case
and he hoped the Board would not consent to appoint
any committee, but decide themselves
The time for recess having arrived, the convention
took recess for half an hour.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The chair was taken by DR.. DOWNING and the consde.
ration of the motion to refer the Burmah mission Diff
Guilty to special committee resumed, After dis
cusspg the matter for some Time the motion was lost
and the Board proceeded to discuss the matter with
view to settle 4 themselyes
never at so low ebo ms at present, and it with
difficulty he could induce his church to support
tent to the action Of the Executive Committee.
The Rev. DR. WILLIAMS moved the following
g that si
mein and dopore the discussions that preceded
e s'$
the h tho
two councils At Moumein, upon topics alike difficult and
to receive in the MAN, the sanction and support Of
That tho Board do therefore sustain the
Of the Executive Committee their correspondence with the
ush 0'' Of ana 70 'he
Mr.. MURPHY said this Board has its ramidcatons
throughout the Union with the exception Of the SOUTH
and he found this proposed action would look like
sumption Of power by the council
Rev Ir. WILLIAMS hoped the resolution would pass
he cid not fear any such result The question was de-
cate one and however settled must pinch aud hurt in
had assumed PontRcal power. This he OR Will,iams)
denied II was q convocati0n OF the missionaries ftom
all parts of Bnrmah Who acted under certain rules given
by the Board and therefore their proceedings
Btititutonal
Rev. Nv. KrycARD said be tremblsd at the
quenccs that might ensue this power was given to
local Board in foreign cline. They could charge, try,
condemn and blast the character of man at their
ceern II extraordinary assumption of power by local
Board apy minister is to be tried, 1t must be By hts
own church not b. any authority outside the church
would be referred to large committee so that full
consideration of the subject could be had The question
"apI rowing in the main 7" in the resolutions had, he
feared doubtful and dangerous importliable to too
Rev Mr.. GRANGER, of the -Burmah mission, said the
word councir had been used in reference to the meet
ing Of missionaries in Burmah. This term Is not the
right The word conference would be better When
the charges preferred against Mr.. Abbott all the
parties interested called together, and the action
that what before the Board adoption
rejection. He feared that there those present
Who desired to break up the whole missionary enterprise
DrO M n IN All and
finally adjourned until Il O'Clock 10 the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The Board assembled in the evening at TX O'Clock.
After prayer by Rev. j. g. Binuey, DR.. RIPLEY moved
that short time be spent in prayer that the brs-
thren might become harmonlsed thereby. This was
agreed to- and Brotbe Clark Ripley Potter, AM others
oficiated in becoming manner
This ceremony being concluded,
DR.. WILLIAMS proposed the FOL owing as a preamble to
the resolutions he offered in the after noon =
Minute proposed to DO adopted by the Board Of the Anne
advisory councils ncid 1t aounsin 'a'''
Acid the divergens of piou which prevailed at the
formation Of the Missionary Union with regard to the
preferable of the forms proposed to be given it,
there yet general agreement in this respect
The Unionwss ecclesiastical body welding church
power but voluntary society-the channel of inter.
course, sympathies, aid and council between the
churches at home and the infant churches that they
should be honored OF God to plant in the wide wastes OF
heathenism broad In any consideration OF the grave
questions before the Board they would therefore,
not be regarded creating, by the Executive Committee
or by any Of its agencies ecclesiastical councils abroad
which sboad trench the Independence OK one church.
The laborers in our missionary fields are however fully
entitled TO take council together to their duties their
difficulties and their collisions, should these in any event
These advisory meetngs,for fraterna celebration
and operation by whatever described the Board
its Executive Committee the agents Of either may
justly suggest whatever the providence OF God may seem
to to them requisite for the interests OF the
churches abroad. II isths in limtedand restricted
sense that the term council Is to be Interpreted in the
documents which the Board would now pass, and In
their resolutions which are at this time adopted.
The Rev. Mr. BRIGHT read from the report OF the Er.
ecutive Committee to show what their views were on
the cour cils held in Burmah They did not deem them
ecclesias tical organizations.
The CHAIRMAN proposed that, over hundred gen
temen permitted TO speak and only about thirty
would eventually act IL would be advisable for the
voters that is the Board Of Managers to hold an in.
formal meeting and there settle the matter Instead OF
taking up one subject and acting It. AMI then passing
to another dozen questions are involved all OF
havn N he ed ON at Hench the