The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-28
THE SECOND CHURCH TROUBLES.
DR.. Persons Vigorous Defense Against
Charges Made-The Presbytery
Meeting.

The indianapolis Presbytery met yesterday
afternoon to consider DR.. Persons alton.
DR.. Patton, the moderator, presided, and after
the usual opening services, DR.. PIerson arose to
a question of privilege and spoke at considera-
bic length In defense of his recent actions, pay
ing particular attention to statements made by
Hon. John NJ. Butler in his paper before the
church meeting, concerning which Mr.. Pierson
said:
81 have no accusation to bring agains { this
cn1rch. L believe 1t is true TO the core as a whole,
ana disposed to carry out the understanding be-
tween me and the deacons, and that the bottom
ulIhculty rests in the opposition of a few de-
signing and treacherous people to the gospel
which | preach. l regard Mr.. Butler as a pure
and h1gh-minded man, but on account of his ILL
ness and excess OF business he has been with
uraWn from active participation in these church
matters. and has been dependent for his views
upon the representation OF Others. AS TO the
paper read by him before the session of the
church, considered abstractly, l pronounce 1t a
tissue of falsehoods."
he said further that he had no disposition to
charge the church with a breach of faith, but that
he had resigned because he did not believe that he
could achieve his highest usefulness there. DR..
rlerson also considered at length the troubles
regarding the proposed enlargement of the
cnufch, and in conclusion said: az have been
misrepresented and assailed, and the only proper
answer is in a consistent life. Many godly
people have rallied about me to carry out the
principle OF a free church, aud l hesitate to
ASo' bhCm III buo luFCu. my Ouly ue5lVallOn III
the matter is a reluctance to do anything which
may ever seem to interfere with the harmony or
prosperity OF the church of Christ. 1 desire to
Conduct this new tabernacle enterprise in order
TO do a work among the unhOly not now being
done, and because the fight between skepticism
and evangelical religion is growing hot, and |
am pushed to the front as a leader. 1t is no
time to forsake or ~falter."
Mr.. Butler was not present when the presby-
terry was called to order. but a messenger was
sent for him, and he heard the greater part OF
DR.. Piersen's statement. He then briefly ad-
dressed the meeting, his remarks being ex-
tremely courteous and we'll timed, and offered
to establish the truth of what he had
said in mis- paper, if proof were called
for. He had no desire to antagoniZe
DR.. Pierson, or to cause any disaffeotion in the
church, nor would he do so if possible to avoid
II, but he had only stated the facts in the case,
as he had good reasons to believe they existed.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Presbytery
formally dissolved the official relations between
DR.. Pierson and the church, the same TO take
effect after next Sunday, and directed the sec
rotary TO give him a letter of dismissal to any
other Presbytery he might desire.
A meeting OF those interested in the tabernacle
movement, will be held at the Third Church to-
night, at which it is understood some definite
steps will be taken.