Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-05-16
SETTLEMENT OF A CHURCH QUARREL

iA'iii L. ~ L 1otiti COMPREHENSIVE
work, "T The Bench anl Bar of New
York.:
Mr.. Seward was a sort of standing
mediator of church difficulties in this
country. ContenlinG parties i'll those
disputes Nand troubles which DESTROY
harmony aud brothcrly lovoin churches
would cften seek his mediation, and
such was their confidence in him that
each party would accept his advice and
settle apparently irreconcilable quarrels
and difficulties.
An amusing incident was once the
result of an appeal to him in one of
these church difficulties which had for
a long time threatened the destruction
of Presbyterian Church in neigh
boring town. At last it was decided to
submit all these difficulties to Mr.. Sew
ard, and that his decision should be
entirely conclusive. He consented to
become the umpire for the parties-gave
them II patient hearing, and promised
to send them his decision in writing.
In due time he arrived at Il decision
reduced it to writing, and enclosed it in
letter to one of the leading members
of the church.
All this time Mr.. Seward was owner
Of 4 farm i'll another part of the coun-
try which was occupied by tenant, to
whom he wrote at the time he was
about to mail his decision in the case of
the church. In directing the letter the
one intended for the church was direct
ed to the tenant, while the one directed
to the tenant was sent to the church.
Il was duly received by the proper of
firer and the members of the congrega-
ton assembled to hear the decision of
Seward, which was to heal all difficult
ties and disscnsions.
After calling tho congregation to or
der, the moderator, in appropriate Ian
guage, explained the object of the meet
ing. 81 hold in my hand" said he,
"a paper which l am about to open
and read in this assembly, which is,
have no doubt, the olive branch which
is to restore harmony and prosperity
to this church and congregation. 1t
comes from one who, though lawyer,
loves the Lord and is Il pcacemakor. u
Then, breaking open MI Stewards let
ter, he read the following:
You will take particular care of that
old dangerous black bull, who often at
tacks people when not aware of his
presence, and sometimes plunges at
them openly, and you must carefully see
to the repair of fences, that they arc
bnilt high and strong. and also see that
the water in the spring is always kept
pure.
There was q mystery about his ad-
vice that greatly puzzled the whole as
selnbly, who for Il long time sat in pro-
found silence. The moderator stood
like one bewildered. Presently, how
ever, he recovered himself enough to
say:
Brethren, I-I--don't oxactly-that
is to say, I-I-can't exactly see how
this applies to our case. Suppose We
have season of prayer over it and ask
the Lord for instruction"
Accordingly the congregation knelt,
while several of the leading members
fervently addressed the Throne of Grace.
Whcn the people resumed their seats,
one of the oldest, most esteemed and
pious members of the church arose.
Brethren" said he, nothing can
exceed the wisdom of Mr.. Stewards de-
cision. l have no doubt tho Lord di-
rocted him when he wrote it, for it is
just what we need, and 1 know it will
restore peace and harmony among us.
Look at its great wisdom. The direc-
ton to keep the fences in repair is to
admonish us to take good heed in the
admission and government of the mem
bers of the church. We must SEQ to it
that only those who are reSenerated arc
admitted into our fold. The direction
to keep the spring open and pure means
that We must not let our faith, our love
TO God, our love for each other, get
cold and cloggcd, and our daily walk
and conversation corrupted by the weak
and beggardly elements of the world.
And we must, in particular manner,
set watchful guard over the devil-the
old, dangerous black bull, who often
attacks us when we are not aware OF his
presence, and who, with his long horns,
pA""SSS "o uo oPCAiN, Hh,t "hO Iie''
made many savage plunSes at this
church in particular.
These remarks opened the eyes of all
the people present to the wisdom and
enlightened piety of Mr.. Seward's de-
cision. 1t was unanimously resolved
to abide by it, and peace, goodwill and
prosperity were restored to the church,
brotherly love took the place of hatred
and piety increased. Nearly forty years
have passed away since this remarkable
decision was received by that church.
Its organization has been continued
down to the present time with uninter-
rupted prosperity.
What effect Mr.. Stewards letter had
on his tenant has never been known.
G0 An Oswego woman advertises
that she has purchased shotgun, and
will shoot any man who gives her hus-
band liquor.