The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-07
OUR RELIGIOUS eOLUMN.
A Church YrUubIa.


EDIroB EVENING TELEGRAPH: As the article
which ia part furnished the occasion for the
incosed action taken by tho Ssnol of the
German Reformed Church in the United States,
at its annual session beld in Hagersto Wn, Nd,
from tho 2lst 10 the SOIh of Octooer, was pub
lished IN your columns it is thought that you
will chccrfuIy give it publicity through the
came channel. The action was taken by re.
spectable reg gioUs body solely in seli-vindicaton
against u serious charge,
Yours, very res pecttully,
SAMUEL Il. FISHER, Stated Clerk.
Philadelphia, Nov. 8, 1868.
The retiring President called the attention of
the synod TO cer,a,n arIce5 published by one
OF its memoers, which he regarded as seriously
rehectnE oD il5 character aud requiring some
SPECIAL acuou. Tue su )ircJ wa re erred to
committee, which sub eqlenily submitted tue
following report, which was unanimously
adopj ed:-
The committee to whom was referred the
publlc0uCn charleo by the retiring President
OF the SJuod with having slandered aud
otherRise damaged The Good name OF the
Synod, hcg leave to rep ut as 'ollo VS.: -
4 II appears II IN copy OF an unauthorized
publication Apul number, 1863, OF which Rev.
J, Ii. A. b,mUerger, D. o., y prinCipal editor,
ana also rom several e4 racts from a daily
paper published IN Philadelphia, that tue sa d
J. Ii. A. Bombergrr, ID. De- has publih and
/ given cucUiauon 10 tue following statements,
over bis oTn Signature, in regard tO this SJnJd,
10 Wit
not TeT7aHod u nOn,jnIe HeT candidate" for
theological professor IOe refusal 10 9llo
those desiring to have their candidate
was bn extraordinary proceeding, unkuo VA
even amoIg secular politicians, and without
/ precedent IN Our CnUrcn.n
He also irdurses, "as in full accordance with
the iacts," the statement made in al item in
the Philadelph'a EVENING TELEGRAPH, April 25,
1868. it charged the SNrod under whose sole
and entiIe coltrol the Theoiogicl Il Seminary Is,
with be Dg the liturg Cal wlng,n and imp plies,
also, that u is "oecommg so churchly as to
cease to be Reformed"
10 reveal the gross misrepresentation here
published 10 be world, 1t is only needed that
the Ilain factsEas they stand in connection With
The late election Of Theological Professor, be SCI.
forth.
1t Is beyond possibility of successful contra
dictioh that the Comm ttee on Nomination (of
whom at least three out OF the seven were
known as friendly 10 the wishes OF the very
small MI ority in that SynoJ) at first unani-
mously reported but sngle name. To this
n objections we're raised by Dr. 30 nberger and
n Others aud alter 1t was deci led that, according
to the Constitution OF the Church, none could be
legally voted tor who were not first put in
nomination. the report, to accommodate those
who desired another candidate WAS recon.
mitted, with Instructions TO add another name,
When they again reported, the name
of the ackno TleJged representative OF
the dissatisfied party was presented, along
with that OF him who had been pregiO lsl Y
nominated. Great odeuse was taken at this by
the person thus named, and he begged to be
shielded from insult ana injury. AT tuis poiut,
and not before, mention vas made of the name
of another brother as an acceptable candidate,
but who, IN fact was not Identified in any way
with that party. His Ia ne DIR. BomOerger
wished the chairman o. tue committee, or the
committee or the Synod, to substitute in tue
place OF his own. To r. lleve the feelings OF DR..
mbeIger, the original report was substituted
for the second.
The SYNOD was not packed, partisan, or fac
tious body in any sense. 1t was made up OF
delegates regularly chosen from tue several
classes, before the Deces Ity Tor The Professional
election was before the Church. The SYNOD did
not reject any nomination made by the party
now cla Inning to a'greved; nor did it refuse TO
OtOG1 them 20 IomlEate or vote for man OF
their choice. In tact, toey made no nomination
10 be voted Tor In any way by the SSno1-
although they were rep edly told that such
q course was in the largest liberty accorded
them.
The case presents, then, in the aforesaid pub
ished statements, what may well De considered
slauderOus IerveGson OF facts and a damaging
public libel on the Synod, absolutely without
Foundation or warrant.
The otIeuse also is not an isolated act, but i:
bnly one ~ general bad course OF similar con.
buct toWaTOs this synod and her Institutions
Ealing for iGvesugalOn aNd regular trial, which
poes not belong 10 yolr Committee, but which
pn common rnmor, may Oe gathered from the
church AT large.
Such gross violation of tru h and breach Of
deity 10 The Church demand that the SYNOD
ebuEe II as It's pT0VOCatOn merits. In De
omlng selt-lespect and strict regard TO hel
acred trusts, tue Synod should require the of
ender, who was then, as he is also now, mem
Der OF this reverend body, the fullest repent
|pce and rcparauon he can make tor SO aggra
|ated a sin apalust Christian fidelity, rs Q
biuistcr Of the Reformed Church. Therefore
Rescued, That this Synod reqIire from tue
aid J. IL. A. Bomberger, u D., a public, full
Ind unequiVocat retIactiOu IN writing of tht
|bove Ieclted language; and that he be enjoinec
purge himself from the ohense given by ii Il
his body.
ReSOLoed That in case he shall neglect oil
efuse TO comply with the conditions OF tn
bow G, resolution TO tue satisiaciO OF the Syno
nt ii O'Clock on Saturday morning he b
pd hereby Is suspended from all the privilege
this body.
This reDort was adopted on Friday aftern DON.
fevious TO the hour specified in 1t, Dr.. Bonn
frger offered 10 SrnOd paper, which b.
fisbed TO have received rs N oetlug the demanC
ade upon him. II did not, however, prov,
tisfac,o AFTER several dttem pts at a m )di
cation OF the paper, 1t was Withdrawn, aud tn
blowing offered in its place, which was re
rived BY unanimous VOt-:-
81 Ietract the Publication Of the words o
.nguage referred TO in the report of the Com
nod, and regret that they should have becom
e occasion OF ohense.
n Oct. "a, 1868. j. Ii. A. BoMBERGER."
An adoItonal paOer QUALIFYING the above re
action wa offered by Or. BGmberger. Ii Was
Dwever, laid on the table.
Teachers Covenant.
[The following covenant, which was prepare
one OF our city Baptist schools, is worthy OF