Nebraska advertiser., 1869-03-04

preamble ara Reeoluffsns aa-
opted by fhe EiRsl NaFllsl
Church.
The following preamble and resolu-
tfons were presentedon Saturday, Feb
ruary 10Th, to the First Baptist Church
in Nebraska City, By g committee APT
pointed at The meeting Of Thur day
last, and were unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, On Lords Day, Febru-
AIRY IA, 1859, the house uf worship q
this, First Baptist Church, Of Nc1IE8-
ka City, was taken possession 81 81
two persons, who refused 60 open i as
the demand Of the pastor, the sexton,
three Of the trustees, and other msIn-
bers Of the church and congregation,
warning them not to attempt an err
trance at their peril, and declining
also to open 70 at the commend Of IA
officer Of the peace and
WHEREAS, Our efforts 20 rrocure
admission for the pastor and tle con-
gregatiOn were foiled during tho
whole of the Sabbath, until after the
hour appointed for evening service,
BY the impOssibility Of procuring from
tho Probate Judge Of the county q writ
of warrant for the opening Of the
house and the arrest Of tine Offenders,
simply because it was the Sabbath.
day, thus preventing an unusually
large congregation from exercising
their right to peaceably assemble for
Worship, and the Sunday School cor
nectcd with tile church from the right
ofassembling for instruction, in which
rights we are assured protection, both
By the Constitution Of the United
States, and the constitution Of the
State Of Nebraska; and
ANHEREAs, We have failed 70 OBJ
tain redress before the law, the case
having been dismissed, and the 0fien-
ders discharged from custody without
one word Of rebuke or Rdmonition;
therefore,, u
RcsOJUcd, That the original OfIenso
sinks into absolute insigniicauce be-
fore the appalling fact which Il has de-
velOpcd, that it Is possible for any per-
son, on any Sabbath day, 90 take and
maintain possession Of any house %
worship, belonging 70 any worship
ping congregation Of any faith, aud
that there exists no legal power OK
right to open a house Of worship 80
held upon th6 Sabbath Ci13f, and admit
the congregation TO the enjoyment Of
their privileges, unless by infrleting
the peace and exposing themselves %
pains and penalties, by taking law in
to their own hands q course which
we as christians and law ahidiRg citi-
Zens do not propose to do, nor counsel
others to do,
RcSOlUed, That We ask Of every WOr-
shipping congregation, as such, every
christian man aud woman, every law
loving and law abiding citizen, and
every friend and lover Of liberty 20
unite with us in so setting forth the
danger to which the Hbcrty of tUOrship
is exposed under our laws as they
now exist, that such healthy ecndi-
ton Of public sentiment shall be Crea-
ted as shall assure to every c0ngrega-
tiOn absolute protection In their reli-
giOus rights and privileges.
ResOlUed, That. as early n period IS
practicable, we ask Of the Legislature
! the enactment OF a law that win pro-
vide;
First. That any civil officer em-
/ powered te issue Writs Of arrest, shall
be authorized. .iD any case Of any At
tempt to abridge the right Of any con-
gregatiOn % pCaeeRbly assemble for
worship, by taking possession Of their
usual place Of worship or otherwise,
that he may issue any necessary writ
TO open such place Of worship and ar-
rest such offender, upon the Sabbafh,
as well as upon any other day Of the
week.
Second. To empower any peace Of
ficeF, qualified to m8ke arrests, upon
written request Of not less than i've
members Of a church or congregation,
whose house of worship has been so
unlawfully taken possession Of and
closed, to open such house and arrest
the offenders upon the Sabbath day
without a writ.
Third. To make the taking possess
sion of any place Of worship specific
Ofense, providing such penalties for it
as q heinOus crime, as shall make its
perpetratOF Infamous and to throw
around all places Of religious worship
such guards and projections as shall
give the absolute security promised in
the constitution.
heSOtUcCt, Inat we respectfully ask
of all conductors Of newspapers In tho
State to publish the foregoing pream-
ble and resolutions, and that they be
spread upon the records Ofthis church.
Done by order of the First Baptist
Church, at a special meeting held on
Saturday, February 10Th, 1869.
w. b. BINGHAM, Moderator.
7. Q. FIELDING, Church Clerk.