The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-18

mcnt OF two OF their number, Brethren
Herndou and Legis, TO visit and request
such members rs could be reaclfed OF that
recognizing council 10 meet with the COM
mittee and give full aud fraternal statements
with regard TO The views under which they
had acted IN the matter. II is gratifying
TO state that ten OF the leading brethren
came, and had the fullest opportunity OF be-
! ing heard, and this with the more pleasure
"a an in the main manifested good spirit,
and we believe desire the things that make
for peace. Having heard patiently the eX-
hau,liye statements made by these several
brethren, your committee. guided by the
sole desire 10 do Justice to all parties, and II
possible to secure peace and harmony among
the churches involved in this trouble, pre-
sent the following report:
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
/. That we recognize the exclusive right
of each church 10 manage ls own af-
fairs, 10 select It's own officers. TO
receive and to discipline its own members.
This has been our long established view OF a
New Testament church. While church is
obedient 10 the mind of the Holy Spirit she
il supreme and independent from any alien
or foreign interference. It's her duty TO pre-
serve the purity OF her doctrines and enforce
and vindicate the morality OF the gospel
In the lives Of her members. Il j. the duty
OF every member to recognize her aulhori-
t. and submit 10 her righteous decisions.
IL j. only when she requires wrong that any
should resist her judgments. We clnnOt
too strongly commend this well-iried prn-
cipe as essential to fellowship among the
several associated churches. lis observance
| i our safety. It's disregard has seldom
i ,rponfrlst nj hpr than harm and pOpffI.iDn
=. We believe that this trouble originated
in disregard OF these principles. The
! First church had right to enforce it, disci.
pinc, and it was the duty Of those with
drawing TO yield 10 her authority. II
wrong was being done them, advice and
counsel could have bsen had, and passion
and prejudice would have yielded in the
end to fairness and justice. Probably no
one feature wa, so Objectionable aS call
| Ing in the police authorities 10 interfere.
| This may have, under all the circumstances,
been unwlse; Yet il appears that both par
ties apprehended actual violence, which
seemed TO justify some precautionary mea-
sures 10 prevent il. Indeed. advice 10 have
such aid was actually given by some breth-
rem who were not members OF the church.
| We think the Withdrawing members were
! Justly censurabc for what appears TO have
been their yiOltn; and factious opposition to
/ the church itself.
3. That we believe the members Of that
council which recognized the church formed
OF the expelled and disafiected members Of
| the First church acted with a desire TO Sc
cure peace, and thought it promised the
easiest way ont CT The difficulties; yet we
are constrained to think their action lIa>ty
aud without due regard to the rights and
interests OF the First church. The know
| ledge which the council had about the facts
should have led lis members 10 hesitate and to
consult at least with the church from which
the members Of the new organization came.
We are decided in our convictions that the
subsequent council which TeendOrscd the
recognition OF the new body and Withdrew
the hand OF fellow ship from the First
church acted in violation OF all the u>age>
which have marked the history OF our
churches, and which, ii adopted generally,
would destroy all fellowship and peace
among our churches. The only excuse for
such action i found in the excited state OF
mind which paS.onately led to it, and it is
most devoutIy hoped that these feelings
shall subside and cIlmer judgment assert
itself, and that peace and fairness may bq0
attained.
REV. HOLMES EXONERATED.
f. While we have not been asked to in
yest9ate the idle and wicked statements in
regard to Rev. j. IL. Holmes. we are COM
PEELED. from a sense OF justice, 10 say that
it appears after an examination by the
church OF the matter that the church solemn
" announced tnat there was no foundation
for the disparaging report, and fully freed
their pastor from the slightest suspicion OF
wrong: and we, the members OF this coun-
Gil, desire % record our individual and
united judgment that Rev. j. II. Holmes
has borne himself a Christian under
great prOyocation, and TO express our entire
confidence in him ~ a Christian man and
worthy minister Of the Gospel OF our Lord
Jesus Christ.
3. Though we are constrained 10 con-
demn the manner OF the withdrawal OF the
Fifth-Street brethren from the First church
and their organization AS a separate body,
yet we are gratiied 10 hear they have
planted themselves squarely upon the doe.
trines usually held among Baptists,. are
regular IN attendance upon the Word, in
observing the ordinances, and in working
for the salvation OF s)ul>. In view Of this
fact, we recommend that the First church
drop The names OF the seeding men,
bers, make no objection TO their continued
existence as Il church, bat seek to cultivate
fraternal relations with them.
6. That we have in the fear OF God and
without bias Of mind reached the above
conclusions, and that We have strlyen after
due and impartial justice 10 all. We are
bound TO all these churches by the strong
lies OF a common fellowship, and most sim
cerely desire their continued prosperity aud
abiding peace. We. expressly disclaim any
ecclesiastical authority. and urge the advice
We give AS brethren interested In the well
fare and peace OF all parties concerned. SO
many years Of great and successful work, OF
unbroken harmony in the bonds and bless
ings Of a common faith, but urge us the
more TO commend the ways Of peace to each
church and every member thereof, Cease