The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-22
THE FACTS In THE CASE.
Statement from the Session of the
Second Presbyterian Church.
Denial that Any Pledge or Agreement Has
Been Violated or Evaded-The Taber-
nacle Movement Condemned.

The announcement that the session of the
Second Presbyterian Church had a communica-
ton to make to the congregation Respecting the
current troubles there consequent upon DR..
Persons resignation, it was supposed served
to fill the lecture-room again last night, on the
occasion of the regular weekly prayer meeting.
In the absence Of the pastor, Rev. DR.. Hay con-
Quoted the half-hour prayer and praise service
with which the meeting opened, and then pre-
sided over the consequent proceedings. The
statement of the session was introduced at once,
John M. Butler acting as spokesman for the ses-
sion. He read q lengthy document, giving the
facts as they presented themselves OF record and
in the memories of the siguers, in reference to
the matter of the proposed enlargement of the
church. They denied that the congregation or
any official body of the church had made any
pledge to the pastor respecting the enlargement;
that no agreement with DR.. Pierson had been
violated or evaded; that the call to
the p%astorate of the church had
been accepted without conditions, and that
DR.. Pierson himself, If anybody, was RESPONSE
BILE for the failure to proceed with the work of
church enlargement, accepting the responsible
ity therefor, and instructing the chairman of a
session committee, appointed for that purpose.
not to call the together. In conclu-
sion, two other points were touched upon as fol-
lows:
"In considering the resignation of DR.. Pierson
as our pastor and the unjust charges preferred
against the honor and integrity of our church by
some of its official MEMBERS, IL would be worse
than idle for this 81 ssion to ignore the fact thata
movement is in progress, the avowed object of
which is TO put DR.. Piefson, when released from
our pastorate, at the head of a new tabernacle
enterprise in this city, in the organization and
conduct OF which the peculiar and personal
views and theories of DIR. Pierson are to be en-
bodied. 1t would be equally Idle to ignore the
fact that those promoting that movement expect
and intend TO achieve Its success mainly by the
withdra wal from our church Of large number of
its members. 1t is also a fact THAI cannot longer be
questioned by even the most incredulOus, that
some of the persons fostering, countenancing
and promoting this movement and seeking to
deplete our church membership In its Interest,
are officers OF this church, who have resting
upon them most solemn vows TO- ealously guard
aud zealously promote, by voice and life, the
unity and prosperity of our church. The re-
peated publications of these facts by the press
of this city have forced them upon the attention
OF all whose interests are, or may be. affected.
This session wishes to put it of record that the
Second Presbyterian Church is by no means op-
posed to the establishment OF new church organ
izations by means Of colonization from it's mem
bersh!p. More than once it has hidden
God speed TO large and consecrated
bands of its members, who have gone forth from
the OLD house to establish new churches in des-
Jitute parts of the city. But we are constrained
to say that the movement TO which reference
has herein sbeen made bears upon its face but
few, If any,, of the characteristics that have
marked the other enterprises referred to. This
movement is seemingly made in the interest of,
dependent upon, and to hinge and center ahout
"a man. 1t is freely stated and circulated that
the withdrawal of n large number of our mem
bers, and the establishment OF the new taber-
nacle, ia to depend and he conditioned upon the
acceptance by DR.. Pierson of the passionate OF
the new organization or enterprise. Against
such a movement, so conditioned, this
session desires TO enter Its protest. If the pur-
pose were to establish a church and build a free
tabernacle in any unoccupied and destitute por-
tion Of the city, for the purpose of reaching the
l door, and Those who VIII not attend our present
churches, we would heartily commend the enter
prise, and render it all the aid in our power. But
| the location selected by the promoters of this
movement, as disclosed by the published reports
of their action, and the evident spirit in which
it is being pushed, render it impossible to so re-
gard it. The history of church enterprises I'M
dertaken and prosecuted in the interest of a
man, rather than the cause OF Christ, is the his
] tory of wrecked churches and disappointed ex-
pectations.
"With deep regret and nnfeigned sorrow and
establishment, we deem it our duty to state to this
body that we are so informed as TO compel the
belief that DIR. Pierson, while still pastor of one
church, has repeatedly met and consulted with
II committee composed largely OF persons still
memhers-some of them Officers-of our church,
the object and purpose Of which is to
further and promote the said new tabernacle
enterprise, and insure its successful Inaugural
tion by the partial disruption and depletion of
our church. We are also eredibly informed that
DR.. Pierson has already Informed The promoters
of said tabernacle enterprise that he will accept
a call to the p~astorate of said new organization
as soon az released from the passionate or our
huiSh ~ " 10 wv - van w hiufAO
to harmonic with the statements made to our
church when he offered his resignation,
we shall be ~rejoIced to have the harmony made
apparent, but confess our inability to perform
the task"
This paper was signed by T. A. Morris, F.. W.
Chislett, W. L. Kirby, John 8. Spann, d. W.
Coffin, L.. c. Walker and John M. Butler.
This was followed by W. s. Hubbard, who
stated that he had prepared his reasons for re-
fusing to sign the communication, at the request
of the majority, after much persuasion, being
convinced that too much had already been said.
He is of the opinion that the church has morally,
if not legally, violated promises, expressed or
implied, and inducements held out to DIR. Plerson
to become the pastor, by the committee which
sought him at Detroit. he was followed in the
same strain by Mr.. Robert Browning, who also
read his views, having prepared them for ex-
preston at the meeting last week, but then re-
Trained.
Judge L. @. Walker followed in a very vigorous
speech, first -disclaining any intention to say
or mean unkind things. as he felt very deeply
on the subject, and should probably express him
Self with some warmth. Notwithstanding this
preface, he aroused Mr.. Browning so far as to
call forth the expression from the latter that 'fr
he Walker) desired to drive him out of the
church, his remarks would have that effect"
MIR. Walker first challenged any one to deny the
statement of facts contained in the commInica-
tion of the session, and then devoted himself to
the matter of the proposed severance of rela-
lions between the church and a number of its
members. He asked them mot TO befoul the
nest before leaving IL; not to 20 from the old
home, turning on the threshold to call your
mother q fool and father a knaye-God bless
you"
The charge that the tabernacle move
ment was a piece of ~man-worship, and
that those engaged In securing its consum-
NATION twho were officers of the church, were
violating their VOWS and Obligations. was most
earnestly denied by Messrs. swain and Cantrell,
who pleaded for the blessing of the church upon
those who expected 10 20 out.
Mr.. NJ. v. McGiliard, for those of the Memorial
church "seceuers' who had come into the Sec
ond church, and expected to join the tabernacle
movement, desired to say that they came into
The Second church with a definite understanding
| Ihat thelr alaY Mnnld be temnnrarY: IhnL IheY