The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-05-16

CHRISTIANS.
A special meeting of the society of the
Church Of the Puritans was held in the
lecture room of the church on Wednesday
evening, Deacon George III. White in the
chair.
William Henry Smith moved series
of preambles and resolutions denouncing
the appeal to British Christians for aid as
being cause of disturbance in the church,
as the means of preventing the growth and
progress Of the Society. which were secOn-
ded by Mr. Charles Il. Harvey.
Speeches upon the resolutions were made
by Messrs. Smith and Harvey, Drs Hartt
and Ball, after which the Rev. c. j. War
rem moved substitute preamble and reso-
luton, which proposed to permit the So
ciety to be at peace, by allowing the breth-
rem who signed the appeal to shoulder the
responsibility, the more especially as they.
DIR. Hart., DR.. Fairbanks, Mr.. Ferris, and
Mr.. Gilbert, were willing to assume such
responsibility, which was seconded by Mr..
Gilbert. Thereupon the discussion be-
came interesting
Mr.. Gilbert read extracts from several
afiidavits, going to show that cowardly
conspiracy had been at work in the Church
for the purpose of ousting the Rev. DR..
Cheever from the pulpit and from the
Church. Nh. Gilbert had considerable
difficulty in finishing up his remarks. ow-
ing to repeated call for order.
Mr.. Abernethy rose and pleaded guilty
to the charges contained iu the statements
of Mr.. Gulbert, and in doing so took occas-
ion to speak of his pastor in the most con-
temptous manner.
DR.. Hart followed in clear and succinct
explanation of the circumstances under
which the appeal to British Christians was
made. He was frequently interrupted by
the opposition.
DR.. Cheever proceeded 10 address the
meeting, and in the outset of his remarks
was called to order by Mr.. James O. Ben.
nett The Chairman justified Mr.. Ben
nett's interruption.
A motion to ajourn to last evening was
adopted, DR., Cheever having the floor
SECOND MEETING.
Last evening the Society met by ajourn.
ment, Mr. Gearge H. White, in the chair
The Rev. C.. j. Warren offered a prayer
The Rev. Dr. Cheevcr having the floor
proceeded to adress the meeting. He ar.
gued the following point l. The univer.
sal right and duty of the Church of Christ
to make such an appeal. > No right OF
authority Of any body Of Trustees against
it. 3. No right nor authority in the So
ciety against it. nor any ground, in the
present case, of expediency or necessity t
forbid it. 4. No right of the Society ovel
the Church and its members TO raise mon
ey for its own support. D. The right ant
duty of the pastor in and for such an ap
peal, and the necessity and benefits of it
He said that it was very singular despo
tism, by whomsoever assumed, which de
MED the right of the friends Of Christ t,
bring in aid to his cause, from whateve
quarter, or which denied the right of an,
church to be poor chuch, or s;igmatize,
a poor church as a nuisance and disgrace
or branded the application for sympath,
and support from other Christians as dis
graceful The churches of the New Tests
ment had always sought aid, where it wa
needed. The pastors of the New Testa
ment churches engaged in agencies, Q
spontaneous efforts. mutually, for such oh
jects Paul did not conceive it necessar
for him to 60 to the trustees of the societ
to inquire whether be might undertake ,
raise money for the church The onl
matter Of anxiety with him seemed to hay
been the avoiding of this, that no ma
should blame Us in this abundance whic
is administered by u.s. 1t was most e,
traordinary and tyrannic charge to /
brought against the pastor and brethern
that church By Trustees of the Societ,
that they had intruded upon the PROVING
, of the said Trustees in raising funds fl
: the expenses Of the church. It was an il
trusiOn by the Trustees beyond the limi
Of their office upon the liberty and ind
pendence of the members of the Churc
. in Christ. and in the common rights of b
nevolence and of effort for the good of Il
Q church. 1t was nowhere committed to Il
Trustees to say that money shall not