The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-02-25
WITT III - TIT ~ = %
A Church Case.

Triton, February I'D, 1869.
In Cass township of this county, there
is u Lutheran congregation, the pastor
of which is Rev. ID. 5. Altman, of Tip.
ton. Two years ago there was neither
congregation nor church edifice. Acer-
tain member Of the church 10y the name
of John G.. Maurer conceived the idea OF
introducing Unfortunately into the
church, different kinds of religionists,
to conduct service ut such times as the
church might not be occupied by the reg
ular pastor. He desired also to intro
ducc another Lutheran minister into
the congregation to act in the pastoral
relation, whilst they had O positive ar
rangement with their Upton pastor, by
whose labors the congregation was or.
ganized aud the church edifice erected
In various ways said Maurer kept "
a constant agitation amongst the mem.
bers of the church. He was entreatsd
ny the pastor anu prelnren u the c,'un'
Gil, to desist from his bad practice and
do his duty rs faithful member of the
church.
These private admol,itions, however,
had no effect upon the said Delinquent,
who studiously persisted in having his
own way. TO use his own phraseology,
he would have his own way or bust
things Whether urged on by outside
spiritual advisers, or the promptings OF
his own mind, John G. Maurer aud his
particular friends, know best.
The state of things became such that
the peace and prosperity of the congre-
CATION demanded action OH the part OF
the church council. Such action was
had on the 5th day Of December last.
A travelling minister, at the time a..
sisting Rev. Altman at q meeting, was
called upon to preside at the meeting OF
the church officers in the case of Mr..
Maurer. After an impartial examina.
ton of the merits of the case, with ali
the light that could be obtained, the fol.
lowing decision was made, viz:
Finally the Council decide, that, il
the said John q. Maurer acknowledges
his errors to the Pastor and Council
aud promises amendment for the future
he shall be retained AS n member Of the
church ii, however, he does not make
such acknowledgements, he is hereby
suspended from the church until such
time Us he does comply with this decis.
| ion."
This decision was lenient in q case q
SO much obstiuacy, and therefore sale
Maurer might we'll remark, as he did
when it was read to him, that "it was .
splendid decision" The general i'm
| preston was, from his own Language
and manner, that he would make thu
necessary Acknowledgements, and return
| Z" i'is antias n regular member Of the
church. The sequel, however, prove.
the reverse. He not only did not &C
knowledge his delinquencies, but NOR.
than ever created confusion, defied til,
authorities of the church, and called hi!
minister q liar.
When, according to tho instruction.
OF the officers Of the church, the pastor
proceeded to read the minute of proceed
ings Of the council to the public, sal,
Maurer in q boisterous manner and uu
becoming language intcrfered with til.
reading. $3.50.
This interruption occurred on the 10th
day Of January last; the congregation
left In confusion, without the bcnedic
ton. The second interruption ola sim
liar character occurred on the eth Feb
ruary. 1t was ut this time that Mr.. il.
cob Seitzinger, one Of the officers of the
church said to Mr.. Maurer, If you DOM
cease disturbing the congregation, will
be compelled to enforce good order by
the laws Of tho State. This fact is in.
troduced to correct floating rumor that
Rev. ID. S. Altman instigateL the prose.
cution of said John G. Maurer, and thu,
Jacob Seitzinger was merely the leafs.
paw" Of the Rev. Gentleman-"the
TYRANT," as one of the Legal Gentle.
men q was pleased to call him.
The writer of this article Is informed
by Mr.. ]. Seitzinger, that on the first