The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-11
now BAPrIsrs DO IT.
striking from the u oil the mime Of n Minis
ter Accused Of immortality.


The regular stated meeting Of the Phila-
delphia Conference ~ Baptist Ministers was
heln Yesterday vt Ii20 Chestnut street, the hev.
Tne committee appointed by the Philadelphia
Conference Of Baptist Ministers 70 make IN
quiries respecting certain rumurs affecting the
ministerial character VI tho Rev. Thomas u.
Hott, having carefully performed the duty
assigned them. and while RETAINING from cx-
pressing any judgment upon criminal charges
now bending In the courts, are panied to be
ncient facts to Justify them in recommending
that the name of Thomas u. Bott he stricken
-Aon 1he ri 4l- ms Conference: ls,Snedl
JOHN PEDDIE. A. j. HASTINGS,
GEORGE COOPER.
The Rev. DR.. J. Wheaton Smith moved to lay
the report upon the table temporarily as there
was danger OF making n great mistake. He
thought the Conference should act with caution
The Rev. DIR. Cathcart moved the adoption OF
the report OF the committee.
and the Rev. Dr.. Wa,and offered the foIi ole
ment Of the relation Of this body to the minis
terial and moral standing OF Its MEMBERS the
Conference adopts the following:
I. THIS Conference is composed Of ordained Baptist
SOUS who nave technical standing. but persons Who
have "a good report Of those that are without ana
2. The Conference is but disciplinary body 1t does
not he within rs objects or Its province TO Try or to
MeiSbers q Inc Conference have ne rIgh, to de-
has the right to decide when the membership OF any
repSe ana aeSon 10
the Usefulness to the existence ~ the Conference
doubt or denial il Is the duty Of the Conference sum
mari 70 strike his name from the roll.
sietia and moral standing Of member II Is the duty
conducted according to The usage denomination.
incc OF the Conference without expressing any ludS.
ment on the case, to erase the name OF the member
The above paper was referred to committee
consisting Of Reys; H. L.. Wayland, y. D.. J.
Wnc ton smith, ID d., w. Cathcart, L. NJ. Levy,
ID. d., and II. g. Moses.
Tho report of the committee was then taken
REV DR. Smith asked Mr.. Bott II no would
| pledge himself to urge the church to ask for an
! nvcstigating committee.
Mr.. Bot said he would, and hoped the con-
ference would have the charity to defer all ac-
| ton until the G. sc tn court was over:
| Rev. DIR. Cathcart-I for one would not have
| that charity. At the former council there was a
very patient Investigation. Two charges were
rreferred against MIR. Bott, VIZ; Undue famili-
| ariV with women; and, In the second place,
| lying.
Rev. DR.. Cathcart. said Brother Bolt. was
found guilty at the council Of lndscre tion with
| women. The word "minor" bv unanimou
| consent was stricken out. With regard to the
| charge Of falsehood II was decided that the tes-
timony was so conflicting that the conference
| would not express any judgment. III thirty one
Baptist churches had brought him In guilty OF
| indiscretion with women no would regard 1t as a
very serious thing. He. for one. would not give
iirother Bot the right hand OF fellowship.
Brother Bott WAS In fact disiellowshipped by
The REV. Dr.. p. 5 Henson said the committee
had examined number OF witnesses, ANA had
been on the ground Of Mr. Botts operations.
Had there been auy disposition to falsehood, II
would have been discovered. They listened to
Mr.. BOtt's own testimony, and simply taking his
own version, his own tracing, IL would tie enough
20 convict MIN OF being unworthy Of ministerial
fellowship.
The Rev. George Cooper. from the committee,
said he would not SIT with council tn mad
| anything 10 do with the IN liter. lie thought
immediate action in the matter was necessary.
The Rev Dr. John Peddie, from the commit
tee, fen 1t was due to the character and t. the
cause Of Jesus Christ that a person who had
acted Brother Bott had done should have
judgment passed on him. lie had vol ted the
laws Of the Church. OF society. and OF home.
The question being called for, the report was
| unanimously adopted.