The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-09
TO Consider the Question Of Dis
solving the Existing Pasto-
raj Relations.
Tho Rev. T. v. Moore ID to Remain ~
Pastor of the Church
in Helena,

phur springs; hon. Il. w. hnlR0G, Judge N.
w. Mcconnell and DR.. G.. @. Swallow, of
Helena, commissioners. The moderator,
the Rev. w. Cobleigh, of Grantsdale. was
absent. The church was we'll filled with
ladies and gentlemen, who remained until
the hour of adjournment, which was about
II O'Clock. The Rev. John Reid, Jr., was
appointed to act as moderator in the alb
sence Of Rev. Cobleigh. Rev. Mcmillan
was appointed assembly clerk. After the
Presbytery had been opened with prayer,
and roll called, on motion of Rev. James
Reid the privilege of the floor was extended
to the Rev. James May, of Helena, DIR.
King, Of Waco, Texas, and the Rev. DR..
Quinn, of the Episcopal church. Rev. 10
seph w. Sanderson, of Milwaukee, was re-
ceIved into the Presbytery and accepted a
call from the First Presbyterian church of
Bozeman.
The object of the meeting was to dis
solve the relations existing between the
pastor. Rev. r. V, Moore, and the Montana
Presbytery. The moderator opened the
case by saying that they could only act.
As to whether Brother Moore was at all
presbytery they would be justified in dis
solving the relationship were questions
which at present they knew nothing of.
He felt sure that 1t would grieve good
many to have Mr.. Moore leave the congre-
cation. A motion was then made to lay
objected to by DR.. Swallow and the motion
wes withdrawn.
Mr.. Moore, in response to an invitation to
express himself, said that he would simply
repeat that which he had said to own peo-
pie, in announcing his position upon the
the presbytery that in reaching his decision
it was against the feelings of his heart, but
but that his best Judgment confirmed it.
That he had resolved that the presbytery
should decide the question. It had
been said that the decision of the
feelings. He refused to be put in that
position. He had decided for himself, and
his decision was as clear as 1t was when he
had made up his mind. He would not be
true to himself and his own feelings if he
allowed himself to be placed in the the position
the members in the matter. He would urge
them to earnestly consider their own re.
sponsibility. He begged that they would
leave all personal feelings out of the ques-
ton; that they would consider and decide
that ground the interests Of the kingdom Of
st the Lord Jesus Christ in. this community.
He then briefly stated some reasons why he
thought his relations with the congrega-
tion should be severed. There was con-
VlCClOu upon UUo puIt VI d uuluU0r UlAG all
other man might do the work here more
effectually; that he might build the church
wisdom. In fact a man of larger exper-
fence and greater ability. He heartily
agreed in that view. There was also some
other cause assigned was that there was
good deal of inactivity. He did not know
precisely what to attribute this inactivity
to. He could not undertake publicly to
go over it. 1t would be sufficient, perhaps,
to state that they had been endeavoring for
After prayer by Rev. Reid of Deer Lodge
Dr.. Swallow asked if the commissioners
might be heard, Judge Mcconnell
took a., position inside the
chancel rail and proceeded to voice the
sentiments of a ma ority of the congrega-
ticn. The light from the chandelier shed
soft ray upon his bowed and silvered head.
The first few words he spoke were ohoked
with emotion, and it was q touching sight
to see this learned and able jurist overcome.
He said he felt more overwhelmed than he
had been before in all his life, and he had
ity. As he paused for moment to recover
himself there were some very moist eyes.
Continuing, he said that the emotion he
displayed was not due to advancing years of
life, but to natural Observation-Disclosures. Yet
perhaps he would be able to perform the
appointed as one of the commissioners he
had made it his business to enquire into the
true inwardness of the whole proceeding.
He was there to say that large majority of
the congregation did not wish the relation
ship dissolved. I'VE want him and will
the past" He then spoke of the personal
trials which the young pastor had under
gone. and in closing made an eloquent ap-
peal for his retention. Hon. E. w. Knight
felt that it was hardly necessary for him to
m say anything much a;a after what lat, Judge
connected with the church for the
last seventeen years and had
great delicacy about going into the dis
cussion. The relations between pastor
and his congregation was most serious
one: That SO far as he had learned the
feelings of members had been expressed in
loving kindness to Mr.. Moore. They
thought that he was not building up the
church and had fears for his health. He
had explained to them that it was their
bounden duty to cling to Mr.. Moore, if he
speaker thought that he had fairly repre-
sented the views of the minority with JUS
tice to them. There had been no ill-feel-
ing or warning of differences. They recoR-
nized Mr.. Moore as thorough Christian
gentleman, taking up his cross and
would be violation of every principle
of justice and right to dissolve the relation
ship which bound him to them. We could
not procure minister who would discharge
these duties any better. They had not done
their duty in helping young minister, and
the older members should have advised with
him. It would be severe blow to sever the
relations between them and their pastor.
We should look into our hearts, and we
would find that the principal trouble was
that we failed to give him the proper sup
port.
Other remarks were made, all in SINH
lar strain. While the discussion was going
on Mr.. Moore was very much affected. On
being submitted to vote the question of
dissolving Mr.. Moore's relations with the
Montana Presbytery was defeated, there
being but one vote in the affirmative. The
Presbytery then adjourned.
Fun at the Broadwater.
The Broadwater plunge, hotel and park
were filed with hundreds of happy guests