The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-18
TOUCHING WORDS.
Rev. DR., ling Leaves His Church
The Pastor of tho Big Cleveland
Baptist Church Resigns.
Not Only This, But He Leaves tho
Denomination Forever.
Caused by the Interpretation of the
Administration of Communion.
Ho Had Publicly Invited All Christians
to Partake OF tho Lords supper
and the Baptists Decided that
He Was No Baptist

NlhN tlNNhi ''t Auks lt'-Nhlht lllllt
ago tho Rev. DIR. Geo. Thomas Bowling,
for eleven years pastor OF the Euclid
Avenue Baptist church, one OF the largest
and richest in the city, created some eX-
citcment among his people 10y publicly in
yiting all Christians To partako Of COM
munlon in his church. Tho Baptist pa
pcrs all over the country took up the
question and discussed II at LENGTH all
were agreed that Dr. Bowling was no
longer Baptist Tonight at the prayc
meeting of his congregation, DR.. Bowling
unexpectedly read the following letter TO
those assembled:
"My Dear People The Lord, in ways
we have not known, will lead his own. II
a prophet had stood in our midst on that
evening | met YOU all ior the first time
after my return from Egypt in that meet
ing which YOU and can never forget, and
had announced that in three months |
would be standing here with my rcsignn-
ton in my hand, We would have deemed
him mad never more united people,
never pastor apparently more thoroughly
beloved. by u strange providence, how
ever, for which no one is responsible, aud
least Of all this beloved church, We have
reached the parting Of the WAYS.
After the few brief weeks Of interim
between the offering Of this resignation
and my farewell discourse shall pass out,
not only from my church, but also from
the denomination which have learned to
love. The circumstances | need not ~
call; they are familiar to you all. The
only tribunal Of appeal Of which know In
our denomination IN that which is COM
posed OF the presidents OF our colleges and
theological scminarics, and the editors Of
our denominational press Whom, after
careful study aud prayer, | reached the
conclusion that certain interpretations of
scripture which IN times past had formed
u doctrine OF the Baptist church were OPP
posed both 10 the spirit and To
the letter of the great guide
| tribunal eli there is room In our de-
nomination Tor pronounced open COM
munisi, then ! will stay; this rs my home.
hut II there is not there need bc no harsh
words: good men have differed before this
aud surely the last place for bitterness IN
| In the presence Of our Lords broken body
and poured out blood. Say ~, and will
| go my way.
lin a spirit Of perfect kindness, but Of
unmistakabc meaning, the answer has
como back; you have read Il ia editorial
uitornnccs from the Atlantic 90 the Pacific.
| There IN now LETT tn me hut one honorable
course, anl accordingly ! present II to
YOU today, my beloved people, to tHko
/ effect un the lirt day ui Octobcr=my rus-
/ ignntiDn ~ pastor Of this church.
cone word more This resignation Is
| final, though every one here should vote
| against its acceptance, II would go into
| effect Just the same. ! offer H. not be-
cause u has been requested, for II has not
| so inr ~ any official action ui any board
connected with this church is concerned,
there rests with me, and with mo only,
| responsibility for this step. | made
! pledge a. my denomination, ] made Il be-
| cause ] thought, under the circumstances,
II was the only honorable thing to do, aud
think NJ still. Today ! ana simply taxi
ing the iirt step In tie iulillmcnt ui that
pledge. Aud now, my dear people !
| will not yet say farewell. That
| will come soon enough. Let us
cherish the few weeks that remain before
| We part, II YOU love me. ! speak only
well oi every one. Remember YOU could
give me no greater pain during the last
days am 10 spend with you than hy per.
I
indirectly, nn unkinl word had bcrn ut
tered concerning any, nnd oil the more
because there iB absolutely mo- cause. Let
these last days hc DAYS Oi sweetest peace
aud tenderness aud love. ! shall newer
forget what YOU have done Tor me. For
these past eleven years you have been tp
me, individually AMI collectively, ull that
true aud noble people could be- "a
an impulsyc aud some times, !
presume, an cfmtic pastor Wherever ]
may go my heart will turn toward you
and ! shall never cease tp pray that you
may porcyCrr a. the end, and hy his
grace be- enabled to keep your lpins girdcd
aud your lights burning and yourselves
like unto tp those that wait ior the Lord.
Aud now the Lord bless and keep you
the Lord cause his face ~ shine upon you
aud be- gracious unto YOU, iho Lord liit uI
bis cUunipnnnro upon you aud giyo you
peace Your brother Ia thc gospel o
/ Jesus Christ,
"Grp. TupuAH boWItSD,"
, Tho board oi dclc0ns 0l the church wil
accept the resignation. Dr. Bowling ha
? I 1. I..N