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
the only excuse we can offer for giving so
much space to him and his doings in this
issue, is that this is the last of Downs as
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 Baptist denomination day washed
it's 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
liveliest 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-
ious to watch the disposition of the case of
the Bowdoln 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-
liberate opinion that the conduct of the
Bowdoin Square Baptist Church is an essen
tial departure from the faith and practice
received from the New Testament and the
lively demands that this association shall
take such decisive action as will effectually
demonstrate that the purity of the home and
the saoredness 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 that will attach to them SO long
as the Bowdoin Square Baptist Church re-
mains nominally sister church.
In conclusion your committee respectfully
submit that due regard for the common
obligation resting upon all Christian
churches to inculcate the pure doctrines
of Him, who in the Sermon on the Mount
defined and reatfirmed 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
this report be adopted. 1t was moved that
the 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-
ton of the Bowdoin Square Church to with
draw from this association, so that il might
not be embarrassed. There is no love lost
between that church and this body, and
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 /
have heard at very many times charges made
by bummers and rascals aud the like, who,
when most wanted, cannot be found. These
are the men who assert the criminalities
which are charged against me. The divorce
which has been, it 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
consequences of this action were ordained,
pre-ordained? Well, it is so and time will
show the truth of that declaration NV
friends, did 1 care TO could startle you with
surprises that would make your
hair stand on end, make your eyes stand out
in wonder.
1t has been charged that | have COM
mitted adultery with Mrs. Taber. Do you
know when l visited that room 80 many
months ago it was with purely business
motivesr While discussing some matter /
sat down upon the edge of the little bed.
Mrs Iaber was eating an apple and she
passed me to reach to the wardrobe. Re
turning, she sat upon that same bed beside
me, carelessly, casually, and then the door
was burst open. DO you believe that am