The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-20
Is Brother Fulton a Gentleman F.,

1t is not easy to define exactly what con-
stitutes a gentleman as the term is used in
this country, though when we meet and get
acquainted with one we very soon know him
for what he is. II has been frequently said
that no man can be a gentleman the basis
OF whose character is not q sense Of religious
obligation; and undoubtedly that is true.
But may not n man have strong religious
convictions and yet not be a gentleman
This question goes to the kernel Of the
difficulty with the Roy. JUSTIN ID. FULTON
Of Brooklyn who was recently turned out
of the Baptist Ministerial Conference here
for using language at one Of its sessions
which was deemed by the majority Of his
brethren to be altogether unscemly and in
consistent with gentltmanlike dcmcanor.
The Rev. DR.. SAMSON had read an essay on
The Beast Of Revelation" by which he
meant the Church Of Rome, and had severely
treated the Pope. Though Brother FULTON
agreed with the Doctor entirely about the
Beast, and interpreted the vision of ST.
JoHN in the same way he did, he listened
impaticntly TO the essay because It was de-
lNcrcd by a man whose loyalty during the
war he very much doubted. Indeed, he
didn't believe he had any loyalty at all but
that his sympathies were with the rebels
and his hopes for the continuance Of negro
slavery. Brother FULTON therefore at the
next meeting challenged the record of DIR.
SAMSON, who lived OF Washington during
the war; and when lie defended himself
against the charge Of disloyalty, Brother
FULTON did not hesitate to doubt his word.
To speak plainly, he substantially told him
he lied.
The violence Of the language and manner
Of Brother FULTON created an uproar in the
Conference, and IL adjourned amid much ex-
element. At the next session resolution
was passed by vote OF 50 to ~, suspending
the Brooklyn preacher from membership in
the body. This action took place on the 9th
Of last month, since which time Brother
FULTON has remained out In the cold. Until
the meeting held on last Monday he stub
bornly refused TO withdraw the offensive
words; but then he sent letter TO the Con-
ference in which he sought 10 smooth over
the difficulty. Did he make a proper and
gentlemanlike apology? A committee has
been appointed 10y the Conference 10 labor
with the offender and see whether he is
really in repentant mood or only employ
Ing trickery to get back, while all the time
he thinks as badly Of DR.. SAMSON as ever.
"Inasmuch said Brother FULTON in his
letter, "inasmuch as words uttered by me
were deemed personal and discourtoous by
you, l here and now withdraw them" But
what sort Of n withdrawal is that? II
man tells you that you lie, and then when
you cut him for SO speaking tries TO soothc
your perturbcd feelings, and make it all
right again by saying, "If you think ]
spoke personally and discourteOusly TO you,
then l withdraw the Words are you likely
70 be satisfied? He doesn't say you didn't
lie, but that II it dspleascd you TO be told
that you did, he withdraws' the words.
This Is about tho case OF Brother FULTON,
who is evidently still stubborn though he
pretends to ycld and we advise the Com
mitteo OF the Conference by proper cross
questioning to find out the real state of his
feelings toward DR.. SAMSON, and TO satisfy
themselves, not only that he is sorry for his
harsh language, but also that he has come
to the conclusion that tho Doctor did not de-
serve the treatment he gave him. That will
be the only way to clear both parties and
enable them 10 meet ~ brethren. For IL Is
plain that il what Brother FULTON said WIS
true, DR.. SAMSON Is disscmblcr; and II 1t
was not true, the Brooklyn preacher should