Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-28

them to scalDer for any amount they
could get bid. Thus good thing has
been spoiled. :
Church Council.
] The council which met in Alma Fri
day, December 3rd, in answer 30 cali
sent out to the Baptist churches in the
vicinity Of Alma, was composed Of the
following persons, to wit: Rev X.
Brooks, D.,D.. of Alma College, Daniel
Bfaman, Of Breckenridge, Rev /. p.
Farnham andJs MSCutheis, of Emer-
son, Rev. d. MeaGleristy and Deacon
c. Gregory, of Ilhaoa,. Deacon p. H..
Smith, of Midland, No. Dennell. d.
D., of Owosso3e Rey. N8ASslson, Ii.
D., of Saginaw cry an =. Frank
Hoyt and DeaccA. s s HRs& !of ST.
Louis. Rev. KenR.h BIUa6kss'sD. ID. of
Alma College, served as chairman and
IP. z. Farnham, of Emerson, as
tSerk.
Through a committee of two, viz Rey
p z. Farnham and Deacon ). :. last
7 ings, the council invited Rev. Geo. D.
Kaufman, the pastor of the Baptist
church of Alma. and Mr.. Ryerson. the
clerk, to meet with them and make
any statements they thought best
touching the matter which had been
the occasion of the call OF the council.
but the invitation was declined.
After hearing statements made 10y
Francis Palmer and DR.. 5. b. Yer
ington and others of the sixteen mem
bers or late members Of the Baptist
church of Alma, who had Joined in the
call for the council. and after free
questioning and full deliberltion. the
council passed the following resolutions
with entire unHminity. to-Wit:
LIST. That the action of the First
Baptist church, Of Alma in excluding
many members iromls fellowship. at
meetings recently held. without preyi-
Gus notice, without any definite charges
and in some instances without furnish
ing notification OF their exclusion, was
irregular, arbitrary and contrary TO the
usages of the Baptist denomination.
End. That in the opinion Of council,
derived from all the information we
have been able to acquire us an eX-
parte council the First Baptist church
of Alma, 10y their course in excluding
members, in declining to call a council.
in refusing to appear before this coun-
ell though courteously invited and al
fectionately urged to do so, and in
countenancing practices and teachings
repugnant to the letter and spirit of
the New Testament, have forfeited all
claim TO UNCONVENTIONAL fellowship
and all moral clam to the property
held in the names of the Baptist church
of Alma.
Sd That while we are compelled to
condemn the action Of the church, i'm
the recent past, we urgently and ar
fectionately advise the pastor and
members to reconsider their action and
endeavor i'm the Spirit of Christ, TO re-
store unity and relieve the christian
name of the dishoner that rests upon
| it.
4th. That we refer to the Saginaw
Baptist Association the question of the
UNCONVENTIONAL standing Of the First
Baptist church of Alma.
9th. That the First Baptist church
of Alma be advised to call iudicious
and impartial council to consider the
ministerial standing of their pastor
| Rev. Geo. ID. Kaufman.
BY vote the clerk was requested tot
furnish a statement of the doings o
the council for publication in the local
papers.
1t might be stated that this council
convened in response to a call sent out
by sixteen persons, members or late
mem hers of the Baptist church of this
place. it was therefor what is known
among Baptists as an eXparte council
and it was because of its being AN eX-
parte council and not called by the
church nor with the concurrence OF the
church that Messrs. Kaufman and
Ryerson DECLINED TO be present to
make their statement to the council.
OF the eleven churches said to have
been called seven responded ana were
represented Ia the council.