, 1874-02-28
After Much Wrangling They Are
Referred to a Committee.
The Deacons Reject Some and
Accept Others.
4 Basis Of Agreement Is Finally Set
tied On,
and the Council Adjourns Till Friday.

noon In the Andience-room Of the Union Park
Baptist Church to consider the charges preferred
by the Deacons Of that society against the pa8-
tor, the Rev. Florence Mccarthy. The church
WAS we'll filed Tith spectators, among them g
large number Of ladies' and somo very young
girls, who ought to have been at school. Mr.
Mccarthy was present, accompanied by his at
torney, a1r. Beach, The Council was called by
the anti-McCarthy faction in the church, and
Was, therefore, an ex-parte body, the dele
gates being, for tho most part, ministers snd
laymen who had already formed FL opinion IL
to the merits Of the controversy. The usagcs Of
the Baptist Church provide for holding such
e1-parte Councils whare tho members Of the
church in which officially arises cannot agree
to call mutual council. Sach was the condi-
ton OF Affairs which led to tho assembly Of yes-
terday.
Tho meeting was called to order soon after
O'Clock, by Deacon F. J. Reed, Of tho Union
Park Church, who read the letter calling for tho
Council, and List OF members, 80 in number,
requesting that Council bs called.
TIE CALL.
The letter addressed by the Board OF Descons
to the various churches wa3 IL follows:
Dear HreGhren:
ministerial and Cnrisdan character Of our pastor. the
Rev. florence Mccarthy, supported BY such eVidence
that We feel constrained by regard lot tne hGno1 o.
they DO investigated by Council. For thin puspcso
invite you to send your pastor with to brethren,
to sit in e1-psrte council ut the Uuion Park Baptist
Church. On Friday, Feb q, Mt P. The following
churches are invited Firat Second, Michigan Az
enue Temple, University Place North sr Coventry,
West Aurors, Mareugo, Oak Park, L. sndale, Stock
Yarda, Ens!ewood, Washington Heights, and at-
Charles.
Done BY order Of the Board Of Deacoas.a majority
Of tho Trustees, and lorga numhar of tue members
Of the Church. whose names Will b laid before you At
'DS o'DA'AA' A'A' cie1k Of the Bo.rd of Deason,.
ORGANIZATION.
The Rev. T. ". Goodspead, Of the Second
Church, moved that the hev. Mr.. Chappelle, Of
Evanston. be choseu temporary Chairman, aud
Mr.. J. o. BraJman temporary Secretary. The
motion prevailed.
On taking tue chair, b1r. Chappelle said it
would be proper to ask Divine guidance, aud
called upon the Raw Mr. Eberhatdt, OF the North
Star Church. to offer prayer. This WIS done, tue
petitioner praying Tor wisdom to guide the conn-
Gil in it's solemn deliberations, giving to the
members spirit Of Christian meekness, afec-
tiou truth honesty, and candor; that they might
guard against prejudice and unholy emotion aud
that their course might be such As God would
approve.
ROLL OF DELEGATES. "
The Secretary then called the roll Of delegates,
First Church-Ths Rs7. n. Y. Everts snd Bros.
Garnet aud Parker.
Second Church-The Raw. T. ". Goodspeed, 8anuel
Hoard and G. n. Holden
Teupio Chu1ch-Tho Rc-. l. G. Eberhardt, and
Bros. Van Osdel and Randall
North Star Church-The ReV. J. IL Whitehead, and
Dros- Bar1y and RUSSELL
Coventry Church-Tna Rev. Y. !. Kenicott, and
Weste1n Avenue Chu1ch-Ths Rev. John Gordon,
and Bros. Case and Rogerson.
Twenty-hfth Street Cnurch-Tho 8ev. L. T. Bush,
and Bros. Rowley and Wells.
Eyaustuu-Tha Rev. F. L. Chape1le. and Bros. doe-
bel and Mosey.
Elgin--The Rav. L. u. Woodruff and Bros. los
Englewood-The Rey. Edward Ellis md Bros
Theare and Maple.
There wore no delegates present from tho
Michigan Avenue Church, West Aurora, Ma1engo,
Oak Park, Lawndhe, Stock-Yards, Warrington
Heights, and St. Chazles.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
Mr. Hoard suggested the appointment OF
Committee on Permanent Organization: a mo-
appointed Messrs Eberhardt, Gordon. and White
head as such Committee. During their absence,
the hymn commencing "Come, Holy Spirit,
heavenly dova" was sung, and Mr. Ellis led in
prayer.
The silence which ensued WAS broken by the
voice Of lady, Mira. Dr.. Briggs. who would like
10 DO informed how q Council Was called
whether it was not by the action Of
the church in requesting the Deacons to
issue = call. No such action had been
taken by the society in this case. She Was not
familiar With Baptist usage,-perhaps because
sho was woman, ,-and would like some ono 70
tell how this Council wa8 called.
The Chairman took it upon himself to reply.
BE said Councils We1o usually called By action
Of the church, but where the church could not
agree an e1-parte Council could DO summoned
BY either party to tho disagreement This was
such q Council.
MIS-. Briggs said abe believed this Council WAS
Illegal.
ii this point the Committee on Nominations
returned aud reported, recommending that the
.emuorary officers be chosen to seEva perma~
nently.
DECLINING An HONOR
Mr. Chapene positively declined. He lived out
lide Of the city, and would be obliged to go
,way before the Council lad finished its session
N c.se the session should bo protracted one. !
Mr. Bsnyman said he was not member OF tho
Council.
Tic Rov. Mr. Gordon thought it very desirable
hat q country minister be elected. Mr. Chapouo
should accept. |
Mr. Chapeio once more positively declined,
md suggested Brother Thearie in his stead
Brother Thearle had hid but little experience
- presiding officer. An older man should be
selected. He suggested Alr. Eberhardt, who bad
ust moved to the city, md might bo supposed to
20 free from prejudice.
Mr. Eberhardt sud he Was phyically disquali-
led.. He Was very hard Of hearing, and must |
1ecllne.
a1r. Gordon inaiated upon Ms Chapellea ac-
:eptance, and motion to that effect was put
md carried.
The Chair inquired what business waa to be
brought before the Council.
TIE DOCUMENTS.
Deacon Reed cama forward NTH an arnful OF
oapera and laid them on tho table. They con- |
'iated Of correspondence, copy Of the charges |
the substance Of which was stated in yester- |
lays THmUNE), letters written by Ar. Mccarthy |
o female members Of his hockt verbatim re- !
bort Of tho celebrated sermon, various newspa- J
9er Articles, including comments, intorvio"s, etc.
CLOSED Doors. |
Mr. Gordon moved that the Council hold lta !
ession with closed doors, excluding all bus /
members and the Committee Of Rerep1on.
Mrs. Briggs sprang to her feet and said: ~
,bject."
Mr. Goodspeed-Tho lady is out Of order she
9 not delegate and haa no right to speak
Mrs. Briggs-1f you shut me out now. yonA
,ear, from mo through the press.
Hr. Goodspeed then spoke to tho motion to
exclude ali but mombers Of the Council and 60
nto secret session. 10 opposed it 81 unneces~
'ary. The bua1ness which brought the
Council together was already KNOWN and
1ntil there Was some good reason why
ha proceedings should be conducted in secrecy
he doora should be kept open. II the Council
leairod to receiyc the condemnation Of the com
nnnitv aud In rnaka the uaQtQr Q1 this church