Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-20
DEACON EXPELLED FROM CHURCH
FOR VOTING FOR RICHANAN.

Ine Grand Rapids (Mich.) Inquirer contains
a full report Of the trial, conviction and expul-
sion from the church Of Deacon G. p. Stebbins,
ct the town Of Alpine, in that county. He was
the first deacon of the church 10 which he be-
lOnged-the Freewill Baptists Itappears that
soon after the last Presidential election, two
elders addressed Deacon Stebbins a letter, in
which he was informed that he was CHARGED
with crime. and they admOnished him that he
must clear himself of the accusation. They
say:
First. 1t is an established fact that there are
two principles in active and open opposition
VIE: slavery and liberty; and it Is deemed that
yOu- IN opposition TO your covenant obligations
and ProfeSsed love of liberty, have. so far as
action is concerned, supported the system, prin.
ciples and power of slavery.
Second 1t is an established fact that the office
OF deacon is second to but one in that kingdom
that Christ set up in the world and that gov
ernors of states, kings of nations, and presi-
dents Of the United States. and the offices they
NIL are OF less note than the deacon in Christ S
church and the Office he fills
Soon after he was furnished with a list of the
charges against him; and after long and
tedious investigation, the council reported as
follows:
SPARTA, Feb. 4, 1857.
The council appointed by the Grand Rapids
Y. Nj. Conference TO meet with Alpine and
Sparta church, having examined the testimony
presented, relating to the case Of Deacon q. p.
Stebbins, present the following decision:
Charge 4. Deception.
That, IN our opinion, is not sustained.
=. Unchristian conduct.
Sustained, but removed by confession except
the last specification, viz, the accusation against
the church at the public meeting; which de-
mands more full retractiOn and confession.
I'd. Publicly declaring that he would support
slavery.
Not sustained as far as his statement is con-
cerned, but so far as his act in voting for Bu-
chanan, he has thrown his influence in favor of
slavery. f. G. GILIEY Chairman
N. h EvARTs, Clerk.
The Frcewill Baptist Church of Anime and
sparta, after the Councils of Ministers from the
quarterly meeting had examined the above
charges preferred against Deacon g. p. Stel
bins, and exhOnerated him from them all on his
explanation and investigation, not satisfied,
called Mr.. Stebbins before a single church
meeting, voted him clear on all charges pre-
ferred against him. save voting for Mr. Bu-
chanan for President of the United States, ey-
cluded him for that one act by majority of
one.
The facts upon which the charges are founded
are Us follows
In the fall of 1856, previous 70 the Prcsiden-
tIal election, dissatisfactpn took place in the
church about Stebbins voting; he has for nine
years been known a democrat in the town of
sparta, man that decidedly supports the con-
stltutIon OF the United States. At this period
Elder EraStus W Norton asked him if he voted
the liberty ticket. He said he did. Simeon
Rouse asked him if he was going to vote for the
President Stebbins did not Immediately an.
sWer. Rouse says, You are not going to vote
tor slavery, arc you ~ Stebbins replied No"
and Travelled on, as he had met Rouse in the
road. For these answers he was charged with
deception
Stebbins admitted that he had made the an.
swerS, but defended himself as foIows:
tIrSt. That the democratic ticket, which he
dld vote, supported the most liberty principles
OF any ticket now in vogue That it gives TO
all new states, when annexation, the liberty to
tramc their own constitution as best suited TO
them, only it should be in keeping with the
constitution Of the United Statcs-it might be
IN favor OK slavery or not. He believed il 10
be the duty of every American citizen to sup
port the constitution Of the United States lie
believed the democratic principles and inhu-
ence to be anti-Slavery. To prove this, he Sa,s
mat all the states that ever abolished slavery
had abolished ii under democratic admins
tratlon, which Is undeniably He also main
tanned that slavery nOw covered less territory
IN proportion TO that embraced in the United
States. than it did at the time the colonies en-
tered into compact for the purpose of protec-
ton against foreign foes; that at the time there
was but one-fUurteenth part free-Massachu-
Setts being the only free State at that time
And now. out Of thirty one. there are sixteen
Tree States
Tie was also charged with saying publicly
that he would support slavery. which they
could not and did not prove. Election came
on, ami hc. feeling it his duty. voted for Mr.
Buchanan. Consequently as by the chief priests
and elders The Saviour was brought before
fIlate bar, 81 by the chief priests and Edwin
was he brought before the judgment seat of
Sparta and Alpine Free Will Baptist Church
He pleaded guilty TO voting for Mr. Buchanan,
and upon that charge was expelled the church