The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-06-13

HAmLroN cnrEK, Linn county. May 30.
Efitor Democrat


HAMifroN cHrEK, Linn county, May 30.
Editor Democrat
Some eighteen months or two years ago
one Rev. Norton began to preach the gospel
on Hamilton Creek, in tho Forks Of the Sam
tiam and in Sweet Home Valley, protesting
TO belong to tho Church Of Christ, and meet
ing with some success established some class
es under the title of the "Chnrch Of Christ.
This little Church of Christ prospercd and
fOuriShOd like o green bay tree for a short
season, but finally dissensions began to arise
among its devoted members, and ono Of them
was a short time ago cited for trial. Upon
the day Of the trial the defendant demanded
Of Rev. Norton his papers Of ordination,
which the Rev. Norton could not produce at
the time, and the trial was postponed for one
month, in order to give him tins TO obtain
them. Meanwhile IL was noised around
that the trial would be public, and at the APP
pointed time there was quite congregation
both saint and sinner assembled 10 hear
the trial, which was opened by singing a
hymR and reading few verses Of scripture,
and would have proceeded TO prayer had it
not been cut short by the defendant demand.
ing Of Rev. Norton his credentials showing
his authority 10 organize churches and cite
members 70 trial But the Rev. head Of the
Church insisted upon having the privilege Of
invoking the blessing Of God TO assist them
in performing the solemn task that they had
assembled together to perform. Bat the de-
fcndant was rcsolute, and maintained his po.
sition 10 the last, and demanded time and
for Rev. Norton 70 produce his credentials Of
ordination, which he could not do, notwith.
standing he had previous notice Of month :
time in which TO procure them in. After
some cross firing between the defendant and
the head Of the Church the congregation was
dismissed; but upon request of some Of the
defendants friends the congregation was 70.
assembled and Rev. Norton was granted per.
mission to make an oral statement concern
ing his ordination.
After singing hymn and offering up
prayer he proceeded 10 give in his ministerial
experience by saying that. while in Califor-
MIA, ho labored as minister Of the Christian
Church from the year 1860 10 about 90, and
during these labors he chanesd to hear one
Rev. Reid, Christian Adventist, preach q
discourse on tho immortality Of the soul
which convinced him that he was IN an error
upon this point; that he had not been preach
| ing the truth; therefore ho wa troubled con
siderably ia Iaind--whether 10 take a lettsi
from the Christian Church aud join the Ad
vent Church, or 10 preach the Advent doe
trims and still remain in the Christian ckurcf
and after going to God in prayer over th'
matter he concluded 10 preach the new doc
trine; namely: That the soul Is mortal
sleeps in the grave until the resurrection;thAa
We are living in the last days Of time, ant
that the second coming Of Christ was nsa
at hand-preparc to meet him Therefor
he was expelled from the Christian Church
noe for any immoral conduct. but for preach
, ing the truth. lie then joined the christiai
. Advent Church aud was ordained by one d
d. Reid, in tie year 1878, about the 18th 9
March, as an Elder. 10 perform all the rite
and ceremonies Of that Church. He subse
D quently came to Oregon and orgAnized tw
d IAuEGueA near IpFkiAhut ono euNtb4eo VI
Second Advent, the other the Church c
c Christ He then Travelled on south until b
y reached Linn county, aud was still here. Ii
boring as a devoted minister Of Christ Fc
J. some cause or other he did not bring his p'
pers showing his authority 70 preach and
q perform the different duties Of an ordaine
' Elder Of Church along with him, but he pr
/. saIned that they were in safe keeping
e Washington county. and that he would ol
tain them, and at some future time the
D would procerd with the trial
= Now the query with tho people up here i
}. can he produce those crodentialss Is he q
|. ordained minister or not, Has he taken Il
o privilege OF acting in the capacity of an o
dained Elder, administering the sacramen
haptizing, performing the marriage cerem
ny, etc, without legal authority! Are h
devoted followers deluded sect. Has /
any legally organized Church, or is he
- moclxer. profaner and a deludors These a
grave questions, and questions that he ougl
' 10 make plain, both 10 his Church and to Il
: public. SPECTATOR.