The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-24
GUYToNs CHURCH MIDDLE.
Rev. 7. W. Lanier Explains How He
Came to be Expelled.


The GuYton church trouble appears very
much as if it were a personal matter be-
tween the present pastor. Rev. Scarboro,
and the late pastor, Rev. Lanier, if the fol-
lowing interview with Rev. Mr.. Lanier
gives all the ''innerness, n so TO speak, of the
trouble.
Mr.. Lanier was asked what shape matters
are in now, and he replied: at Is all over,
and l am expelled from the Baptist church
Yes, expelled"
"How is that'
TT was effected by the Influence Of the
pastor, Rev j. A. Scarboro, the young
'would-be pope as / believe, Of Georgia.
An extract from his letter TO ME requesting
my attendance upon con erence, and that |
must answer in writing his questions upon
my orthodoxy. without any notice from the
church that my presence was wanting,
clearly shows IT, He wrote me as follows:
"A conference Of New Providence church has
| been called for next Saturday at II O'Clock, a.
m. and l respectfully ask that you meet us then
and there, and in open conference meet and de-
eide the matter. 1 shall ask you:
- To state, in writing, any and all charges
you may desire to make against me as Baptist,
a brother and pastor.
2. To say in writing, whether you did, or
the church
D. To state, in writing, your position on the
question Of communion. both as applies to Bap-
fist and to other denominations"
ITO this sent the following reply:
"GUYToS, GA, July %, 1889.
'Rev j. H. Scarboro,
Dear BRoTHER:-Yours of the Goth 10 hand
and contents noted. In reply, have to say that
recognize your right and authority in making
demand upon me for anything of a personal
character, and my duty to reply, but nothing
beyond that,
There never has been any issue between my
self and the church l do not propose to be
drawn into any by few extreme and radical
members.
AT such time as the church summons me to
appear before her tribunal to answer charges
made against me l shall most certainly appear
but not until then.
"Iu reply to your first and personal inquiry,
have simply this to say:
That your treatment of me in connection with
the church has been discourteous, unkind, and
uuDrotheriy, as q mini ter. Especially So
when the deep interest | have taken in you in
the past is considered, and the efforts / have
made 10 push and bring you to the front and
the manuer III which you have turned upon one
lar your senior 10 years and experience, WHO
had wrecked himself physically and almost
mentally in endeavoring to maintain the
dignity of the Baptist church.
ITO this called conference" Mr. Lanier
said, 81 did not go. First, because | was
sick in bed and unable to get there, and
secondly, because, as | stated before | had
conference was called for my arraignment.
Fired by my course, and determined to
avenge an insult offered to his majesty,
his right hand bower, Mr.. G. A. j. Sweat
drew up and submitted to his pastor
very severe and condemnatory resolu-
tions, and presented them at
this called conference without submitting
them to single member for consideration
before conference, and thus obtained
snapped Judgment against me. The real
character of said resolutions is denied until
this day by those who voted for their
adoption. And, although have emphatic
ally denied the allegations set forth in their
preamble that II made chargesn against
anyone, but stated what | believed to be
the cause of evils that the superintendent,
H. A. Wallace, of the Sunday school said
existed, | have been expelled. One member
of the preSbytery left the subject at issue
entirely and got off on the line of "mark-
ing those who cause division etc. And
thus it is.
II shall await, with as much resignation
as possible, the subsistence of the passion
and prejudice created against me, and an
enforcement of reason, healthy public
sentiment, and at last and ultimately the
final decree of the Great Am, to do me
justice.
For the present my health is SO poor that
| am incapacitated for active service; but
should it be my good fortune, and the will
OF my Heavenly Father, to restore my
health and strength, l shall be heard from
again. am yet alive and as cheerful and
resigned as an ordinary man could be under
such circumstances. 1t is persecution and
martyrdom because l would not allow an
other to dictate my theology"