The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-03-04
DAlLAs osUaoH raouBl IS.


lion met st Dallas last week to con-
slider questions arising cut of the
church differences al Dalles between
Elders Link and Buckner. The fer
mer, wto appears to have brought
about all the disgrsceful row, though
not member Of the General Assem-
bly,, attempted to impose himself
upon that body for the purpose of
renewing his issues there, but
Rev. r. c. BaTleson, The pres
dent incontinently "sat down upon
him." properly enough for the
good of the church, and prevented him
from fourishing his frebrand in the
midst of explosive material.
The special committee appointed to
consider the matter made the follow
ing report which was adopted, after
fulther disturbance from Elder Link, by
vote OF "a to 46. The report reads:
1. We regard it as of the last impor-
tance to emphasis this statement; that
we can consider the delicate questions
involved in this matter only so far as
they relate to membership or offices In
this body.
2. We further promise that in reach
ing the conclusions hereinafter stated,
wa have been euided by certain great
Bible principles generally regarded by
our denomination rs axlomatic, among
which we deem 1t not inappropriate to
cite few:
/. Christ's law requires the mutual
fellowship of all the members in the or
ganization and continuance of a local
church, and therefore requires unsn-
unity in the reception Of members.
g 1t is a violation OF the organic law
of church of Jesus Christ, to know
ipgly take case OF discipline into the
church.
3 Every Baptist has the inalienable
right to express his objections to any
applicant for membership before his
church in conference assembled. When
these objections are thus s'a'ed the
church must judge of their validity and
if the church decide that these are in
valid, the objector must withdraw
them or subject himself to the 1icipllne
of the church, which case must first be
disposed of before the application can
be acted on. @
4. No member can be put on trial by
his church for alleged offences commit
ted while he was under the jurisdiction
of another church. From which it
follows, on principal of fairness, that
when brothers objections to an ap-
plicant, based on offenses committed
prior to application, are known and
disregsrded, and he has been deprived
of the right of stating the objections
at the time of application, he cannot
be put on trial for his disfellowship to
applicant, inasmuch as he has no legal
redress, either before or after reception.
5. 1t is an anomaly unknown to BIZ
BILE law and Baptist usage for one to be
aud remain a member of church,
while protests against his reception, or
membership afterwards recorded on the
church book.
6. Principles, not msjorities consti-
tute church. Therefore, where there
are two or more claimants to the name
and rights of a church, that patty,
whether large or small, which stands
upon the principles and laws af it's or
gauization, is the church. And there
fore msjorities are night and are to be
recognized as right only SO far as they
follow Christ. 80
z. Where correspondence is had or
overtures looking to the adjustment of
any difficulty between one proposing to
apply for membership and one already
a member, no indiYidusl or individuals
are legal judges as to whether sufficient
endeavors have been made for reconcili
alton, the church alone being the COM
petent judge on this point.
g. A called conference of church
when one is really had, or an adjourne
conference for specified object, cal
transact only such business as relates
to that specified object.
These principles and Others equally
important have been applied to the evI.
dence furnished by both parties IN their
published authoritative statement, and
10 the church covenant. binding the
parties, and to thti- Official reccrls on
the clerks book.
Guided by these principles, thus ao-
piled to all the eviden' e, SIS thus set
forth, we do unanimously Recommend
tbdb buC dPpiLSouNo iOi onIfSiVu III WIN
body, to-wit: Elder R. @. Buekuer,
W. II. Thacker and A. F. Beddo, o
now recognized as lawful members of
this body.
And we further recommend the Mis-
sion board as it now stands, be con-
fined. and all the churches and essocia-
tions composing this body be urged to
cooperate with said board as hereto
fore.
And we do further recommend that
Elder r. O. Buckner be continued as
the General Superintendent Of Missions,
and as Corresponding Secretary Of this
body, and thst in the exercise of these
official duties we do most heartily com
mend him to the ffaternal regards and
cooperation Of all our brethren, assur-
ing them that from a.patient examina-
tion of ell the facts in the case our con-
fidence in him is unimpaired.