New-York tribune., 1874-10-22

FyPUIsION OF THE LEE AVENUE CHURCH FROM THE
LONG ISLAND BAPTIST AssOCGATIoN-A VIGOROUS
PROTEST THE ADMISSION OF CHURCH oP-
POSED.
Every seat in the Gethsemane Baptist Church
was occupied by members OF the Baptist Church yester
day. interested In the question Of open communion.
F,r IT was understood that the Committee empowered
az the meeting OF the Long Island Baptist Association to
report upon the OF the Lee Avenue Church would
recommend the expulsion OF that church from the Asso
clatlon The meeting called 10 order at $3.50 a. M.
and il resolved that the letter OF the Port Jefferson
Churchj was offensive and ii was decided 10 withdraw
the hand Of fellowship from that church. The re-
port OF the Committee on the Marcy-lve Church
which hed substantially the same ground on the ques-
ton OF Communion the Lee Avenue church. was de-
ferred until the afternoon session. The Committee on
the Lee Avenue Church through Dr. Hiscox, reported
that they had meeting with Committee Oft Church
on the evening June H. 1874 and that they mad then
presented letter setting forth the ObJect OF tue CON
mttees visit aud asking them II they held the Baptist
principles n regard 10 Communion, and especially II
they stood By the paragraph in the pastor ana de
cons letter which stated that they believed IN open
communion and wonld uphold their principles even II
,bsv involved exclusion from the Association. A re-
sponse prepsred by the Church Committee, and unan-
mouslv adopted by the Church, was received The re-
port then rected the doctrines OF the Lee Avenue
Church as set forth on various OCCASIONS
Az this mimi the Rev J. Hyatt Smith said that he
wished TO offer few words OF explanation On the
OF the adoption OF the Churchs answer referred
TO- there wac d very full attendance and every member
,d g., ,ayor of sending H. The Rev. Mr. Walsh inter
run,ed the sneaker with point OF order, which was
chat while the report was being read no person had the
right 10 argue or discuss the matter The Moderator
said the point was we'll taken aud amid cries OF shae'
shame" called for the rest OF the report
The Committee added that the Church still retained
81
the Baptist confession OF Faith but their reading OF the
on Communion differed from the reading universally
regarded adherence 10 the true prncp oi tne
Church They reported that the Church had departed
from the faith and principles OF the Baptist Church
restricted communion an essentai eenent III Tue
contract into which every church enters "ucn ooes
into the Baptist denomination ana tnis Assocaon' auu
the Lee Avenue had violated the laws OF the Baptist
Churc aud vas In open communion ehuren ihey
therefore believe that the e0wshp OF tue Lee Avenue
Church with the Association snoulu cca'c' iHeS "'u
M, harm or hinder them in their work. but the
s,ono.. ars too great for them TO live together In
Ther therefore offered resolution that fellow
n,, ,h the Lea Avenue Church cease until they see
the error Of their vays
tn. ,.nort was adopted with slight difference In
nhra.eolopy by vote OF 26s TO 81 AFTER the vote had
hsan taken and the result announced the Rev j. hyatt
smith Pastor OF the Lee Avenue reau Tue
ing protest ,..o.,..,o,,.
snasSns in nebalf aud by authority OF my church
snecty nrotes AZ against the acts OF the Long Island
Association. in withdrawing the hand OF Ie!ewshlp
from the lee Avenue Baptist Church We are charged
win senar,ng from the faith held by tins Association
We answer The Long Island Association has no con
se.son Of f.tn" Article Of the Constitution. defining
,hs nnrno.e ~ the ASSOCIATION, reads a. folows The
object OF hs Association declared TO be ihe cuitya
t,cr of frsternaI sympatby and union among the
chureh.s and the efficient prosecution OF mis-
sionsry tabor throughout Long Island We do
clare ourselves 10 be u baptist church. openly
ayoying believers baptism knowing no baptism but
inmsrs,on and receiving baptized believers only 10
church meW Wbership We hetseH in'ise =" ~" oAV7'