River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-04

James SrOthard.
RIVER FAILS, PIERCE Co, WIS, Sept. %. 1877.
BY request of the First Baptist Church Of
Rush River, issued July 22nd, 1877, and by
concurrent invitation Of the Baptist Church
OF River Fails, extended Sept. lst, 1877. an
Ecclesiastical Council from the ST. Cr9ix Val
ley Baptist Association, Assembled with the
Baptist Church at River Pals, Sept. 25th.
1877, az O'Clock p. NJ, 10 consider the Chris
tan and ministerial standing OF Rev. James
Stofhard.
There were present as delegates from the
Baptist Church in Hudson, Rev. William
Hartley, j. ). Monatt, DIR. Dwight Silliman
and Mrs. Marietta Silliman; from Prescott,
Rev w II Bunker, L. d. Newell. VIM FIN
ley /; from River Fails, Rev. C. K. Colver. T
Lord, ID. w. Currier; from Rush River. A.
Jones, John Wilhelm Chippewa Falls Rev
A. Gibson; from Warren, Rev. T. Il. Keely,
residence Hueson,l Mrs. Kelly, c. B. Bruce,
Mrs. Bruce.
The meetiny was called to order by the
pastor OF the church at River Falls, he having
been requisite by the Rush River Church
10 attend To tce ar. angements for the meeting
OF the Council. After prayer, the meeting
was organized by choosing for Moderator, Rev.
i. b. keely, and for clerk, Rev. q. K Colver
Not all these persons named as delegates had
been formally appointed or furnis he'd with
credentials by the churches of which they
are members. With the approval OF the del
egates from Rush River, or motion made and
seconded, il was voted that all these persons
be recognized as members OF the Council.
The following preamble and resolutions
were read by the clerk, having been approx
ed by the Rush River Church at New Center
vile, Aug. 10Th, 1877:
WHEREAS, Rev. James Stothard. having been a
member of this c.grehwas dismissed by letter April
2oth 1872 but notice of his reception in any 9TH
er church has been returned to uss--his member
ship thus remaining with and
WHEREAS, his manner OF life while residing in
TINS vicinity Tor some two years past or more, has
given occasion for reports unfavorable to his Chris
tlan and ministerial reputation, in view Of which
he was fraternally admonished aud advised 10
change his course but failed to make the requisite
WHEREAS, in the spring Of 1877, he left this Vi
entity, having parted from his family and in COM
pany with woman the wife Of another man main
tanning relations with her such tend naturally
and legitmately 10 aggrayate the scandal already
prevailing; and
WHEREAS, his absence from this vicinity puts il
out OF our power TO labor personally with the Of
fender-n0 response having been received from him
in answer TO published notice IN the Standard Of
August ID calling his attention to these matters
RESOLVED. lst, That in our judgment, the dis
orderly walk indicated in the foregoing preamble
presents sufficient cause for Withdrawing Christian
fellowship and recognition Of ministerial standing
from the said James Stothard.
RESOLVED; Zndly, That the above preamble and
resolution be referred 10 the Council called in ref
matter be taken into consideration, and that such
action be taken by the Council and such advice
given to us as the occasion shall seem to reqare
Done by order Of the First Baptist Church Of
SARAH NJ. JONES, Church Clerk.
In accordance with the request thus pre-
sented, the Council proceeded to examine
the matters laid before them, calling for wit
nesses and hearing testimony, not in the line
Of legal, criminal prosecution, but under the
teachings OF the New Testament, in the inter-
ests OF pure religion, of sound morality and
Of personal rights controlled by regard for
the iuviolable sacredness of the Marriage Re-
lation, OF Christian character, and especially
of the Christian ministry.
ImprOprieties which in a c curt of law might
escape eensure by possibility of doubt, or by
some possible construction OF motives or in
tent ons, are here intolerable. Persistence in
them becomes crime. Improprieties which
ON certain grades Of social morality one might
overlook or allow, ought to have no place in
a Christian Church. The suspicion Of their
occurrence in the department OF Christian
minister, or Of a possible inclination towards
them in hls disposition would be a Just cause
for serious alarm. A single known instance
OF improperly offensive TO Christian morality
mars confidence. Repetition of such impro-
prieties, with purposed continuance in Them
destroys the ministerial character. No man
who persists in course OF LIE which author
ICES fair minded persons to suspect his fidelity
to the VOWS of Marriage, can be safely trusted
with the Office OF Bishop in the Church of GOD.
Cherishing these sentiments, the members
Of the Council were deeply and tenderIy me =
ed by the painful developments brought out
in the testimony adduced. No member of
Mr.. Stothard's family was called to testify.
The evidence from other sources appeared 10
be decisive. The rights OF the absent were
cautiously guarded, and tender memories OF
the past were called to mind. After mature
ba,.V
sion OF sentiment by words and by vote,
Brethren Bunker and Colver were appointed
TO prepare written statement OF the decisions
reached. The committee were allowed 10 re-
tire and the Council took recess till their
return.
After the recess the committee reported in
writing, and their report was accepted and
adopted unanimously as follows:
WHEREAS the statements presented to this Coun-
ell by the Rush River Baptist Church. touching the
department Of Rev. James Stothard. appear us to
be sustained as true; therefore
RESOLVED, lst, That in the Judgment Of this
Council, the said James stothard has forfeited his
claim to be recognized minister Of the Gospel
in the Baptist Denomination.
RESOLVED 2ndly, That in our judgment the Rush
River Baptist Church will be fully Justhedin with
drawing from the said James Stothard the hand Of
Church fellowship.
Rev. VIM. Hartley then led the Council in
prayer. On motion of Bro J. s. Motfatt it was
voted that in addition to the written words
mere aQ0pted, the making OF any luftner
statement of the known sentiments of this
Council be referred to the discretion of the
Moderator and Clerk.
Il may be well therefore to add, that in
adopting these resolutions il is understood
by the Council, that so far as the judgment Of
this Council can avail, this action virtually
deposes Mr.. StOthard from the Christian min
istry; and that when the Rush Rive Baptist
Church shall have withdrawn fellowship from
him, both his ministerial Office and his church
membership will have ceased.
1t was voted that copy of the records of
this Council be deposited with the Clerk OF the
Rush River Baptist Church; and that re-
port of these proceedings be presented to the
Standard, the Waterman, and the Examiner
and Chronicle for our religious papers, and to
the local papers OF River Falls and vicinity.
After prayer by Rev. A. Gibson, the Coun-
Gil adjourned sine die.
THOMAS K. KELLY, Moderator.
CHARLES K. CoLvER, Clerk.
In accordance with the above mentioned
decisions of the Council the First Baptist
Church of Rush River, in special church
meeting at the residence OF A. Jones, Sept. %,