National Republican., 1876-08-30
EccLKs1AsT1cAL COUNCIL.
A Pastor that is Bound to Stick.

Pursuant to call made by the majority of
| the Second Baptist church an ecclesiastical
council, representing fourteen churches, con-
vened at Lincoln kali yesterday morning.
| Rev. W. ]. Walker was selected as moderator,
| and C. Robinson as secretary. Rev. Fields
Cock offered drayer. Awritten statement was
presented by committee appointed by ma
| jority, setting forth that Rev. Mr.. Gaskins had
refused to withdraw from the church when
| requested TO do SO by the majority. Another
| written statement was presented by a commit
tee from the minority, together with the books
| of the church, showing that on February I,
1876, church meeting, which was recognized
by the pastor as regular, was held, at which a
vote was taken In regard to the pastor, and
A voted to retain and 43 to dismiss.
The council proceeded to examine the evi-
dence presented by both sides, and after long
deliberation the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
were adopted:
Whereas it is evident that at a regular called
meeting of the Second Baptist church of this
city, convened February l, 1876, the regular
notice for the meeting having been given in
accordance with the rules of the church for all
the members to convene; and whereas it is evil
dent that they did convene for regular bust
ness as specified in the call; and whereas they
did express their conviction that the cause of
existing difficulties was the pastors refusal to
acquiesce in the wish of the majority; and
whereas he had been requested by a majority
portion of the church to tender his resignation
after the expiration of three months; and
whereas the church did after the expiration
of said time request again the pastor to resign;
and whereas he did emphatically refuse after
the will of the majority was made known by q
vote; and whereas his continuance with the
~ annfra 10 ha richo Of hn r,aaf fnr
portion of said church, has been the real cause
of all their disturbances: therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That this council is fully satisfied
from the evidence presented on both sides that
the major portion of the church has acted con-
sistently with the laws of God, and in con-
formity to their constitution as adopted for
their guidance in church meetings.
ReSolred, That this council advise the pastor
to quietly withdraw from the church, as it is
evident that he is the cause Of existing diff
culties.
The declaration of the council, with the
resolutions, was signed by pastors of churches,
as follows: Robert johnson, VIM. Gibbons,
VIM. B. Jeffersons, r. s. Laws, R. Collins,
Fields Cook, F. s. Robinson, Henry Bailey, H.
V. Plummer, F. G. Hail. Henry Scott, W. j.
Walker, moderator, and C. Robinson, secre-
tary.
The council then adjourned.
1t appears that there has been trouble for
flock has become unpopular with the majority
of the church for various reasons. 1t is said
that his record was bad before he became pas
tor, about three years ago, and the older and
steadier portion of the flock have tried to rid
themselves Of him for a long time.
About the year 1860, before he assumed the
sacerdotal robes, Mr.. Gaskins went around
among the pious and soft-hearted in this vicin-
ity and in the North and West, and raised by
subscription a sum of money amounting to
about 81 600 for the purpose of purchasing his
wife, who was then slave near Alexandria.
To some of the subscribers, who were poor
colored people, he promised to return the sub
scription money in case he did not buy his
wife. Instead of purchasing his slave wife, he
named another woman and sustained her with
this money. This fact made him unpopular
with his flock. After he had made his way
into the pulpit he overruled majority of the
church by high-handed means, packing the
board Of deacons and the church itself. 1t is
claimed that he received young men into the
church by baptism, whom be Instructed to
stand by him until he created considerable
faction of his own. About sixteen who re-
belled against his rule were suddenly excluded
from the church. 1t is also charged that he
intimidated many Of the members of his
church, especially the women. The party op-
posing Rev. Mr.. Gaskins numbered IA, and
his retainers were about 20 in number, but the
minority succeeded in having the most to say
on all occasions.
At one time, when a church meeting was
called to endeavor to eject the obnoxious pas
tor, the majority selected their chairman, but
when the Rev. Mr.. Gaskins came in later in
the evening he insisted upon having the chair
man deposed and presiding himself. The
chairman refused, and the pastor had him ar
rested for disturbing the meeting. The major
ity were so helpless that they concluded to in
yite council of other churches, the result of
which is given above.