Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-09-21
PARSON DOWNS FIRED OUT!

The career of Parson Downs, of the
Bowdoin Square Baptist Church of Bos
ton, is so well known to our readers, that
tie only excuse we can offer for giving Sc
much space to him and his doings in this
issue, is that this is the last of Downs as
a minister of the Baptist faith, and the
last of his history in these columns. The
New York Suns special from Boston
dated the 18th inst. says:
The Raptist denomination to- day washed
its hands of both Parson Downs and of the
Bowdoin Square Church. The annual Con-
ference of the Boston North Baptist Associ-
alton was held IN Redding, and it was the
llvellest meeting of that body on record.
About forty churches were represented by
pastors and delegates, and there was present
| IN addition large number of persons anx-
lous to watch the disposition of the case of
the Bowdoin Square parson. When the case
was reached the committee of investigation
appointed year ago made its report The
! committee say:
In view Of the facts set forth it is our de-
llberate opinion that the conduct of the
Bowdoin Square Baptist Church is an essen
tlaI departure from the faith and practice
received from the New Testament and the
churches of this association, and impera-
lively demands that this association shall
take such decisive action as will effectually
demonstrate that the purity of the home and
the sacredness of the pastoral Office are not
obsolete Ideas among our churches. The
only action which the association can take
is that recommended by your committee.
and it is only by taking this action that the
association can protect the churches from
the scandal hot mill ofk -,
as the Bowdoin Square Baptist Church re-
mains nominally sister church.
In conclusion your committee respectfully
submit that due regard for the common
obllgatlon resting upon all Christian
churches to lnculcate the pure doctrines
OF Him, who, in the Sermon on the Mount.
defined and reaffirmed the seventh COM
mandment, as well as decent respect for
the reputation of the churches of this asso-
citation, require the adoption of the follow
ing resolution, which your committee rec
ommend:
RESOLVED, That this association does
hereby dissolve its connection with the Bow !
doin Square Baptist Church.
When the reading was finished. Parson |
Downs astonished everybody by moving that /
tins report be adopted. 1t was moved that |
tne discussion be limited to fve-minute
speeches, but this was lost. Parson Downs |
then took the platform, on the invitation of !
the Moderator, and made this characteristic /
speech:
We are taken entirely by surprise at this /
action OF this association. 1t was the inten- !
tlon of the Bowdoin Square Church to with !
draw from this association, so that it MIGHT |
not be embarrassed. There is no love lost
between that church and this body. ami 4
since the people of our church are satisfied
with my actions, and since the pastor of
that church does not intend to change his
course one iota, it is better that the separ-
alton should take place. have listened to
this report made by our Moderator, and 7
nave heard at very many times charges made /
Dy bummerS and rascals aud the like. who.
when most wanted, cannot be found. These
are the men who assert the criminalities
winch are charged against me. The divorce
whlch has been, 1t is said, awarded by the
courts, has not been given, and it will not
be on this earth. Do you know, friends. did
you ever reflect that God has had some hand
IN this work? Did you ever believe that the
of this action were ordained.
Dre-ordained? Well, it is so, and time will
show the truth of that declaration. NV
friends, did care to could startle you with
surprises es-surprises that would make your
lair stand on end, make your eyes stand out
n wonder. !
1t has been charged that l have COM
nitted adultery with Mrs. Taber. Do you
NOW when l visited that room so many
months ago it was with purely business
motives? While discussing some matter I
at down upon the edge of the little bed.
1rs. Iaber was eating an apple and she
'assed me to reach to the wardrobe Re-
urning, she sat upon that same bed beside
ne, carelessly, casually, and then the door
Tas burst open. Do you believe that l am !