The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1879-09-13
Called tOAcco,Int.

Called TO Account.
A Baptist Council TO Nest In Donaldson-
ville-Rev. Spencer Boberson's Mis-
behavior 10 be Investigated.
Acting under authority vested in him
by the State Convention Of the Baptist
Association, Rev. George Armstead, pas
tor Of the Bright Morning Star Church
Of Napoleonville, has called council of
ministers to assemble in Donaldsonville
on Mondayne the 18th instant. Among
other matters to be considered by this
council, we believe, is the case of Rev.
John Ashby, late pastor Of the Nazarene
Baptist Church, who haa applied for
rehearing of the charges under which he
was deposed from the ministry, and also
the case of Rev. Spencer Robertson, pres
emit pastor Of the Nazarene Church, whose
adulterous misdeeds have made him no.
torious in this vicinity. We presume the
reverend backslider and his. supporters
are exerting themselves to meet this
council with manufactured and sup
pressed evidence, if they propose to meet
it at all for there seems to be deter
mination among some Of the leading
spirits of his congregation to stand by
him at all hazards and in utter disregard
Of every consideration of decency and
morality. We can not believe, however,
that any assembly of faithful and con-
scientious pastors will condone such an
offense as Mr. Robertson has committed
or allow themselves to be cajoled with
cOncocted and false testimony. Such
result would be scandal upon their
church which every true Baptist would
regard with shame and regret.
The CHIEF has no further purpose to
subserve in this matter than to vindicate
and defend the cause of public morality,
which is one of the highest privileges of
the press. In pursuance of this object,
it is our legitimate prerogative to expose
and denOunce all false teachers of reli-
gious and moral doctrines who debase
their high estate by low and criminal
practices. This we have done in the case
Of Rev. Spencer Robertson, and this we
shall do with regard to those who are
attempting to bolster him up, if they
presume to carry their defense to the ex-
tremity of bearing false witness in his
behalf. We never have felt the slightest
degree Of personal animosity towards the
backsliding minister-on the contrary,
prior to the exposure of his crooked ways,
we always spoke Of him kindly, treated
him with the utmost consideration and
regarded him as q worthy and reputable
spiritual iDstructor--but the interests of
the colored people demand that their
ministers shall be men Of correct habits
and pure morals, and as a friend of their
welfare and advancement we could not
consistently pursue q different course
from that we have taken. That we have
published only the truth about. Spencer
Robertson is shown by the fact that he
does not, can not and dare not resent
the publication or seek to vindicate him
self in a legitimate way. He knows that
he is guilty and his most Jealous friends
know it, and VIC have been incorrectly
informed if he has not committed similar
-. L.
he was employed as pastor previous to
his advent here.
The New Orleans Erangelist, organ of
the Baptist Convention of Louisiana,
copies our editorial article of week be-
| fore last relative to the Robertson scan
dial, and comments as follows:
| We with much sorrow of heart give
publicity through our columns to this
outrageous act. Sorrow, not because
we wish to.conceal or conntenance such
deeds of darkness and wickedness, but
because Of the terrible blow that it
gives religion and the stain that it leaves
on tho ministry; and because Of the
banefhl influence it will leave on the
mind Of the world and the distrlst it
will create and foster in the minds of
the rising generation. But we rejoice in
truth and light. - We:believe
We are suffering the consequences of
lightly esteeming the work of ordaining
men for the a christian ministry. This
providential Indication is equivalent to
voice from the living God saying, "If
You ordain men not qualified, you will
suffer for it,"