Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-09

duct.
In regard TO the third question. we
accept also the conclusion, that we have
nothing to do with said ''exparte coun.
Gil or Its findings" and especially as
we have the written advice of more
than forty of the most reliable men OF
the denomination, declaring that to be
cur attitude.
In regard 10 certain resolutions con.
corning our pastor and his moral char
acter, presented in the following Ian
guage and sustained by the following
vote.
Next 1t was considered best to hays
a resolution concerning the pastor pre-
Sented before the council. The follow
ing resolution was acted upon:
| WHEREAS, In view Of the impropri-
etles OF Rev. w. A Welsher, pastor Of
The Baptist church at Abilene, Kansas,
IN the cases of women whose testimony
was before the council, IN regard to at
tempted liberties with their persons;
Resolved, That he lacks the qualif-
cations of a minister of the gospel as
laid down by Paul in his letter to Tim
othy-1st Tim. III, 7.
Signed by the following sixteen MEM
bers:
j W Hosea, j R Vickers, Rev Geo
Merriam, Rev G III Wareham, Rev j s
Nasmith, T W Meserve, Rev ] d New
ell, Rev I G Coffey, Rev A 81 Stote.
Rev j d p Hungate, N V Jerome, il
Starkweather, NJ d Morse, G Randall.
j G Cowell, Rev 81 A Barden.
Resolved, That when We consider
the fact that number Of these breth-
rem, composing this sixteen" were
members Of the aforesaid ''exparte
council" who had decided In the fol-
lowing language:
THAT in view of the testimony pre-
sented to this council in reference to
the moral character of W. A. Welsher,
we hereby declare our disfellowship for
him az Christian and a minister Of
the gospel" We discover 30 great
modification in their conclusion, and
WHEREAS, The defect in the qualifi-
cation Of our pastor as 1t seems to them
in the present findings was based upon
the evidence OF actions Themselves
and was no evidence before the council
to show the report of the pastor "with-
out" except in the testimony Of Mrs.
Elston and Mrs. Close and Rev. F. NJ.
Porch of the Lutheran church, and his
was the highest commentator; there
fore
Resolved, ny That we cannot see
v .erein LIST Tim. III-7 has any force
except against the resolution itself.
Resolved, (2) That we are greatly
comforted and strengthened, in that
after such malstrom of filth, vulgar
ity and defamity as we have endured
during the past few weeks, and all the
evidence that could be brought by
most thorough searching Of q whole
life record, and the accommodating of all
the rumors and hearsays possible,
coupled with the testimony of "silly
women" yet are these prejudiced men
obliged to say our pastor is only guilty
of ''indiscretion."
WHEREAS, No unanimous finding
could be had, but minority Of fifteen
adopted the following, which was by
vote coupled with the majority report:
AS there was not unanimous vote
in its favor. The council did not maksa
finding on the matter: but as matter
of record the yeas and nays on 1t were
placed in the minutes, sixteen voting
for the resolution and fifteen against it;
after which the minority offered res
olution.
By vote of the majority they we're re-
quested to place their resolution on
record beside the majority resolution.
The following is the resolution Of the
minority:
Resolved, That It Is the sense Of the
fifteen minority that after giving our
prayerful considerations to the serious
charges presented by certain aggrieved
members of the Abilene church and
one lady not member, affecting the
moral character Of Rev. Dr.. W. A.
Welsher as well as the rebuttal testi-
mony of the accused, that we do not
believe him guilty as charged, but We
do believe DR.. W. A. Welsher, by his
indiscretions in his associations with
these aggrieved parties, acted so as 10
render his actions suspicious. And be
it further the sense Of this minority
that we earnestly request DR.. w. A.
Welsher TO be more careful OF his &C
tions in the future; and finally we rec
ommend that the church be more care
full In the future of their pastors repu-
tation.
Signed by the following fifteen mem
bers:
EU Brown, Rev A jacobs, Rev H H
Dunaway, j B Abbott, Moses Bush,
Rev Jas Wilson, e Gibson, Reg.M
Hunt, Rev j J Towsend, II z Clark,
Jno Walton, D Compton, 8 G Wright,
NJ Lindsay, ] d Bradley.
Resolved, That the church and pas
tor are uncer great obligations and
lasting gratitude of heart for these f1f-
teen, and to Rev. e. Clark, the six
tenth, who was taken sick ss the
opening Of the secret session, who has
since declared himself with the minor
| ity, and 80 males It : tie in the council.
fer standing SO nobly and earnestly,
contending Cor all that il dear 10 a min
lister or q man; and may the benedic-
ton Of richest blessinglbe upon all the
council, and forgive all wrong or pred
iudiced conduct of any Of its members.
Resolved, That In the advice TO this
church of thu fifteen brethren, we feel
| to accept with humble confession and
consecrated devotion.
Done by and on behalf Of tho First
Baptist chpych at Abilene this 9th day
s0 JuI1; 1873