Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-11-22
Communicated.

duce 10 your hotlce some questions
not purely political Gas we have been
gorged with poli,icks) but something
rather theological and ecclesiastical.
| address myself to this work rath-
err cheerlully, for the purpose Of vim
dicating my friends and myself.
Facts are often liable to he presented
in false and distorted shapes. 1t is
well known to many of the citizens
Of Elm Point that at this time there
is considerable dissatisfaction in the
NJ. +. Church in this place growing
out of the appointment of the pre-
sent pastor OF said church. 1t is
said, and believed, that this APP
pointment was coucocted some time
previous to the meeting of the Mis-
sion Annual Conference. We ar
rive at this conclusion from the fact
that the present pastor was directed
to ship his goods to Elk Point be-
fore the meeting of the conference.
This bartering of the charge was a
sudden leap over the constitutional
rights, made and provided in the
Discipline of the Church. ''The
bishop is duly authorized to make
all the appointments" If super
intendent can bargain off one charge
without counselling bishop, he can
dispose of every charge, making the
bishop a mere cipher. This is vio-
lation of the rules and provisions Of
the discipline. Again, this barter
was forced upon us in the
face of petition for another man.
thereby ignoring the rights of the
people TO present, through the Off
cial board, their request. We have
heard of no remonstrance or peti-
ton for any other man, and if such
a thing was sneakingly done, it was
done by few who principally sup
port the church 10y whining. This
cgtegious blunder in the appoint
ment is ralliat"d by saying that the
bishop had ruled to appoint none
hut members of the conference.
" here in the name of all that is sa
cred is such rule to be found? /
have attended annual conferences
since 1887, and no bishop during
these long years has ever, to my per-
sonal knowledge, acted upon sucn an
arbitrary and tyrannical rule. And
then what is more strange and shall
low still to leave a goodly number Of
appointments to he supplied by men
who are not members of the confer
ence. PROM Pu}or! The fatal re-
suits of such a neiarious rule would
be to force upon the people men Of
small experience and often light
brains, while far better trained men,
both in experience and theology,
would be forced to the rear. 1t NAV
may be said that some of the men
are old and have seen their day, and
are not able to meet the responsible
ties of this work. This may in part
be true; but still, where a man adj
vanced in life can tie his hands be-
hind him and preach this class of
boys into heaven and back in fifteen
minutes, should not be repudiated
simply because he has lived longer
than some simpler souls. As it re-
CARDS myself, will say nothing by
way of Boosting. nor do the above
remarks allude to myself.
What | am, | am by Gods grace.
Where | have labored in the past
my services have been acceptable to
the people generally; but this l
must confess, that l can not preach
to suit small number of church
members; | mean that iniinilismal
part who profess to enjoy what they
are pleased to call the second bless
ing; thing not known in the scrip
lures; thing rot taught by Christ
and his apostles; thing unknown
to the Greek and Latin fathers; a
thing unknown TO MIR. Fletcher; a
thing of modern existence, and we
pray that its existence may be ephe-
.nereal. The things urged by mod
ern enthusiasts, to the great injury
of the church wherever it exists.
These holy ones, as they are called,
have caused more divisions and
driven more thoughtful persons
out of the church than they will get
forgiveness for in this world, or the
next. Now, if what is called the
second blessing produces no better
frulte than we see cxemplifed in
those who profess it, l FOR one hope
in God l may never be cursed with
IL I royar vro,,y g., hno. - .,>..l,o,~