The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-11-19
THAT DIFFICULTY.


Sometime ago, the following petition
was circulated among the members of the
Christian church of this city;
We, the undersigned members of the
Christian church Of Cairo, Illinois, anx-
iously desiring an amicable settlement of
the unhappy difficulties which have ex-
listed in the church for several months past,
and believing that such n settlement can
not be effected by the members them
selves, hereby ask that a council of breth-
rem from neighboring sister churches be
called TO meet at this place to aid the
church in bringing about that peace and
harmony among its members which should
characterize the followers of the Lord
Jesus.
We also hereby pledge ourselves that
we will each of W., do all we can to give
FULL fair and impartial hearing Of all our
church difficulties 10 said council Of breth-
| rem, and agree to abide the decision and
carry out the advice of said council.
| NJ. ID. Gunter, Nellie Miles,
| Eugene +. Stubs, Ella WORKMAN,
| Chas. Armstrong, Edmonia Walker,
| NJ. b. Armstrong, Norah Ward,
| William Berry, Annie Northam,
Jane ). Holden, Caroline 4. Osborn,
| Sarah Ward, Almera NJ. Osborn,
| James II. Ward, Mamie II. Alden,
Annie Carmmock, Martha +. Hay,
Belle Peabody, Minnie Peabody,
| Jemina Talbot, Sallie Is. Clark,
Franklin Ward, G. Is. Newland,
X. j. Cundif, j. l.. Norris
s. X. Hay, G.. NJ Alden,
John c. Talbot, Mrs Mary l.. Clark,
| r. G. Werick and wife membership Mt
| St. Louis, but spending most Of their
| time in Cairo and worshiping at the
| church here.
BY authority which they thought they
found in the above memorial, petition or
request, Mcssrs. Hay, Alden and Talbot
addressed the following circular TO several
of the Christian churches in the vicinity
Of Cairo;
| CAIRO, ILIs., Oct. %, ls7l.
To the church a. -.
| DEAR BRETHREN Its pcrhap. known
| TO YOU that very unpleasant difficulty
has existed in the church at this place for
some months past. II seeming to BE- i'm
possible that said difficulty can be AMIGA
bly, and honorably adjusted by the church,
ma jority of the members Of the church
have united in Il call for an advisory coun-
ell from our neighboring sister churches
to come to this place to lid Us in the set
Element of our unhappy troubles.
The brothers and sisters uniting in this
call have agreed in writing 10 be governed
by the advice of said council after it has
had full and fair hearing Of ali matters
Of difference among us.
This is therefore to notify you that said
} council is called to meet in this place al
clock pm. Of Friday, the 10Th day OF
November, and to request that you will
lappoint delegates, one or more, to repre-
sent your congregation at said meeting.
As the existing difficulties are doing The
cause we all love great injury in this com
munity, we trust that you will not fail t
respond to this call.
S. Il. HAY,
G. NJ. ALDEN,
j. G. TALBOT.
In compliance with this request, elder
Hartman, Mulkey, Britton, Fcrrill Rhode
and Jones were appointed the council
which convened in this city few day
, ago. This is the decision arrived at b.
the council;
To the members of the Church Of Christ
worshipping at Cairo, greeting;
| our COuuClI, hlN'i duN NNI'b't nbi'i'' ~
5 which all the circumstances connected
: with the history of your unhappy troubles
so far as they have been presented to US
have been duly and impartially consid
D cred beg leave to submit this as our unan
imous report
!. We find that, to Il very great extent
your troubles have grown out of the i'm
V prudence of brother John Friend, in &C
cepting the position of evangelist or pas
| tor OF your congregation, after having
been notified of the protest of an elder
= two deacons and other members of you
e body; and in further assuming TO act n
your elder by virtue of his position n
evangelist.
2. The evidence that has been presented
q to this council does not sustain the charge
and specifications against brother ). X
s Hay; and this, in connection with tn
fact that brother Friend, without the au
thority of holy writ, assumed to act a
your elder, when he had not been regularl,
chosenland set apart to that work in you
CONGREGATION nulliles and renders voiC
his exclusion from your number; an
y your council agree in the opinion that tn
d proceedings, under these circumstance
r are contrary to the teachings of the scrip
- lures, and the practice of the christian
church in conformity herewith.
+ 3. This Council strongly censurc tn
lie spirit and acts of your Trustees first !
rs demanding, personally, and afterward
through a policeman, the keys. OF tn
church second, in instituting civil sui
re for the recovery of the keys h,rd, IN for
/. cling an improper entrance into the churc
: building; and fourth, in acting upon tn
s. grave matter Of dismissing an Evangeis
n, without the consent of, at least, fair ms
v iority of the congregation for all {
of which these brethren should make tn
- proper acknow Judgments to the church.
u a. We find that brother q. NJ. Alden
II, when tempted by considerable provoca
ty ton, has yielded to the influence of
xt hasty and violent temper. This, he ha
admitted publicly to tho council, an
should make the same open confession |
the congregation.
c 6. The council find that the proceeding
ed against, and withdrawal from, brother
oI Hsy, Alden ard Talbot and sister Clar
are n OF in accordance with tho teaching
81 the scriptures and this appears, frst frol
tho assumption of eldcrship by broih'
Friend second, from the fact that the,
| brothers and this sister were not proper