Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-07-27

ECCLESIASTICAL FOLLY AND INJUSTICE.
Mr.. EDITOR: At the meeting of the
Champlain Association of Universalists at
Shoreham, on the 22d and 23d of June last,
the. Council adopted resolution revoking
the license of Rev. H. p Cutting; which
resolution, with other doings. was report
ed in the Christian Repository of July I'd.
The report not showing that any charg-
es or specifications were presented against
Mr.. Cutting. or that he had any notice
that any proceedings were on foot against
him, on the 4th of July, inst, letter was
addressed to the Rev. J. O. Skinner, at
St. Adams, clerk of the Council inquiring
what charges were made, what notice was
given, and what method of proceeding
Was adopted by the Council. The w,iter
suggested that he, with many Others in
this community, was interested to know;
so that it was undoubtedly expected that
public use would be made of the answer.
The following correspondence will speak
for itself: ....,..... .....,.... .. .,..
ST. ALBANs, July 10, 1864.
GEO. WILKINS, EsQ.,-Dear Sir Your favor
of the 4th inst. was duly received, though owing
to absence and unavoidable engagements, have
been unable to answer it until now
n..t .nla. nf tha Ntot
Association in relation to the action taken at
Shoreham in the case of IL. Z. Cutting. You
also very distinctly intimate that you think his
case was mlsjuuged. ,sa z... ~ ....
| l shall contine myself in this communication
to answering your inquiries. Before consent to
go into any general discussion of the principles
of ecclesiastical law and pollty which the case
| involves | shall wish that some preliminary
points, as to the nature Of the question AZ issue
and the proper jurisdiction OF our denominations
al tribunals or councils be previously agreed
upon.
| As to what was done at Shoreham with refer
enc, to Mr.. Cutting, and why it was done, and
how it was done, ain sorry to say that am un-
able to give you any more information than could
be furnished by any other member OF the council
who heard the discussions relative to this matter.
| took no notes of anything that was said or
done at the Association beyond what is contain
ed in the official minutes as published in the Re
pository of July I'd. The resolution that was
passed in re'ation to Mr.. Cutting you have read.
| can give you but little light IN regard to that
resolve besides what is therein expressed. 1t
says :-'Whereas, reciting the facts in 1855,
| Rev. Ii. P. cutting voluntarily resigned his con
| nection with our denomination and with the
christian ministry by expressly relinquishing
his Letter of Fellowship and his credentials OF
ordination, his words were, i hereby make
| laynlan of myself which letter and credentials
were accepted by the Vt. Universalist State
| Convention AMI whereas he was again licensed
80 preach in 1857, by the Champlain Associa-
| tion but has never been formally re-Ordaincd and
re-instated in the ministry which he had aban
doned and his Dabcrs since said license was gran
| ted not havingspl owed useful but detrimental TO
| our cause therefore, resolved, that the condi
tional, provisional, probatlonal license given
| him by this Association is hereby revoked with
| drawn cancelled and he Is no longer in fellow
ship with this body" r-l ari
| | do not zee how this resolve can be made
| palmer than it is. when the facts are set out.
And concerning the facts there was NO dis pute in
the council, and so far as know, no difference of
opinion. There was difference of opinion as
| to the most wise, judcious and eXpedient course
to be pursued in disposing Of the case, though
the resolve finally passed commanded strong
and clearmajority OF the council. Some bleth-
rem expressed great tenderness of personal regard
for Mr. Cutting all, without exception, res
pect for his sincerity. learning. ability; and no
| one intimated anything immoral in him. But 1t
was argued that his labors were not useful but
detrimental to our cause, on account OF his opin
ions, his peculiarities of speech, his impulsive
| temperament his disorganZing disposition, his
hasty headong zeal, his imprudence, his skeptic'
ism his indscreetmetbods of treating the sub.
ect of religion, his i'll judged manner of dis
| charging the duties of minister OF the Gospel
! At least | heard such complaints, and heard no
Others 1t was agreed that the question before
the council, to SCI tie, was not analogous to q
trial by Jury, tor the facts were admitted by the
whole council-were nOtorious-were matters Of
public record--were admitted by Mr.. Cutting
| himself. .r...t.
What then was there for the council to settle
and decide lit was asked) but this one plain
question viz --'Whether they could approve
and sanction Mr.. Cutting as a preacher of the
| Gospel a public advocate and representative of
| Universalism % That question they decided in
4 the negative. They cisclaimed all further res
possibility for Mr.. Cuttings public labors as a
4 christian pastor and teacher. They said that
they would not any longer be committed to a
false position before the world nor be any longer
understood to sanction, while they actually dis
approved his course, What, said they. IL there
for Mr.. Cutting to testify to. or to defend before
this council except that in his opinion he was
sound in the faith aud llt iepresentative OF the
Universalists oil Vermont? Was Mr.. Cutting
competent orby right entitled to be heard any
farther on these points? The Association tho t
any farther testimony on these points was SUI
K perfiuous. a II the members of the council pro-
fessed to be his friends, but thought themselves
under still higher OBLIGATIONS to Truth and to
the cause of Christ, who requires fidelity to
Him that casts minor duties and private friend
sbipa into the shade. and who says "lf man
hate not his father, mother. wife. children, and
yea and his own life also, Tin compatisonl he
cannot be His disciple" All OF which is res
pectfully submitted. .s III
Yours respectfully, D.. v. SKINfHF'
|
STOWE, July 10th. 1864.
: Rec. j. o. ,Sktnner--- Dear .Sar:-teasi
Yours of the 18th inst. in answer tt
mine Of the 4th, is received. Such leagtf
Of time had elapsed since writing you